. I’m sure that the idea of a “dopamine hit” is extremely simplified, but I do think it’s a useful shortcut for a real phenomenon.

When you spend a lot of time consuming things on screens that give you excitement of some kind, ordinary life becomes dull in comparison. I personally experienced this through heavy use of video games as a teenager.

The “Dao De Jing”, the fundamental ancient text of Taoism has a section that translates to “Colors blind the eye.
Sounds deafen the ear.
Flavors numb the taste.
Thoughts weaken the mind.
Desires wither the heart.”

To me, Lao Tzu is talking about the dangers of overstimulation here over 2000 years ago.

I don’t know the science in detail, but I think it’s well-known that continually pleasuring yourself makes you numb to ordinary life.