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The Addiction Paradox: Why Willpower Alone Fails Against Brain Hijacking

clock13 min

Discover why addiction isn't simply a moral failing but a complex brain hijacking involving neuroscience, trauma, and disconnection. Drawing from Anna Lembke's 'Dopamine Nation', Gabor Mate's research, and cutting-edge Stanford studies, learn what actually works beyond 'just say no' narratives.

The Addiction Paradox: Why Willpower Alone Fails Against Brain Hijacking
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How This Personalized Podcast Was Made

This podcast was created using BeFreed’s AI, based on selected books, the creator’s learning goals, and their preferred tone.

Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40556937-never-enough
TED Talk
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime
FDA Approves Second Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray Product
link
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-second-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray-product
Huberman Lab Podcast
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/dr-anna-lembke-understanding-and-treating-addiction/
Pharmacological and electronic cigarette interventions for smoking cessation in adults: component network meta-analyses
link
https://www.cochrane.org/news/e-cigarettes-varenicline-and-cytisine-are-most-effective-stop-smoking-aids-analysis-over-150000
Gaming disorder — ICD‑11
link
https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/frequently-asked-questions/gaming-disorder/
Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder
link
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2/full
Dopamine Nation
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/dopamine-nation-by-anna-lembke
Neurobiology of addiction: a neurocircuitry analysis
link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6135092/
Biden-Harris Administration Designates Fentanyl Combined with Xylazine as an Emerging Threat
link
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing-room/2023/04/12/biden-harris-administration-designates-fentanyl-combined-with-xylazine-as-an-emerging-threat-to-the-united-states/
Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
link
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2811435
TED Talk
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong
Huberman Lab Essentials
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/essentials-understanding-treating-addiction-dr-anna-lembke
Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in AUD
link
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2795625
Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31451133-unbroken-brain
Fentanyl — Overdose Prevention
link
https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/fentanyl.html
Xylazine: Clinical Management and Harm Reduction Strategies for Patients
link
https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-resources/hcp/files/xylazine-clinical-factsheet.html
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
link
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2829811
Modern Wisdom Podcast
link
https://podme.com/no/modern-wisdom/765104
TED Talk
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/judson_brewer_a_simple_way_to_break_a_bad_habit
The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23128312-the-biology-of-desire
The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love — Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32714199-the-craving-mind
Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorders: Systematic Review & Meta-analysis
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28727663/
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts-by-gabor-mat
Huberman Lab
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/subtopics/addiction
Recovery Incentives Program: California’s Contingency Management Benefit
link
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/DMC-ODS-Contingency-Management.aspx
Effects of opiate substitution treatment on mortality for opioids users: systematic review & meta-analysis
link
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)33194-X/fulltext
Contingency Management for Patients Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: Systematic Review & Meta-analysis
link
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2782768
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Input question

Why is willpower not enough to overcome addiction?

Podcast Style
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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@Jaded_Falcon
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments12
likes117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments96
likes4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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comments201
thumbsUp16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments37
likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
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