Today I deleted all social media from my phone. Previously had scaled back, deleting Instagram and Youtube, but a habit formed of scrolling twitter and reddit.
From now on, my iphone is only for direct messages and music. Stopped using any app with scrolling.
Started October 21, 2025
Results:
I am allowed to scroll on my computer, or Chinese websites. Online dopamine is in practice restricted to TV and music, because I avoid scrolling even on my computer. I prefer long videos over short, even when I can watch short Chinese videos.
Initial periods of extreme boredom and napping, but I accept that as the necessary path. Afterwards, more urge to hit gym or socialize for dopamine. Working out and doing homework are now the shortest paths for dopamine.
Increased interest in the world. Used to tune out while in a car, scroll on my phone. Now I find the streets interesting.
Have continued smoking weed occasionally. Early on, it has provoked short term thoughtless dopamine-seeking on Youtube or Bilibili.
Psychology is subtly but definitely changing, particularly in terms of interest in the world, capacity for boredom, more ease in conversation, less fear. Amygdala may be linked to reward chemicals (short-term dopamine).
Continuing this path will be necessary to stamp out all unnatural short-term dopamine.
In days of yore, they didn't even have TV. Tho they had live music and plays. So music and TV are fair to keep. All else must go.