Taming the Molecule of More: A Step-by-Step Guide to Make Dopamine Work for You

Michael E. Long

Apr 2025 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Named one of The Next Big Idea Club’s “Best Non-Fiction Books of the Year” (2025)

Dopamine, “the molecule of more,” makes it easy to get stuck in a cycle of never being truly satisfied. It promises happiness, but can never deliver. That part is up to us. A more fulfilling life begins with training your brain to overcome the dopamine chase—and it’s easier than you think.

From Michael E. Long, coauthor of the life-changing book The Molecule of More, comes this guide with practical solutions to the problem. Based on the latest neuroscience, it will teach you to overcome the most troubling aspect of our biological programming. You’ll learn to:

• Stop being held captive to the lure of social media and gaming
• Use multitasking in ways that increase your productivity—not hamper it
• Avoid the pitfalls that plague dating life—or refresh interest in the romance you already have
• Stop compulsive shopping, online and otherwise
• Break the cycle of doomscrolling and crush your obsession with the news
• Grow your creativity and call it up when you need it most

What if we could harness our struggles and our triumphs toward satisfaction for a lifetime? Taming the Molecule of More delivers a method to begin a more fulfilling life—right now.

Ratings and reviews

A lively discussion of how dopamine affects human behavior & how we can take charge again to live a happier, more meaningful life. It’s well-organized, easy to understand, & a fun way to learn about neuroscience. You don’t need to read the first book to understand this one, but if you have read the first book, there is plenty of new content here. I appreciated the discussion of potential methods to raise or lower dopamine, & specific recommendations to improve various parts of your life.

Learn to overcome the never-ending pursuit of more, driven by dopamine. This book uses the latest neuroscience to provide practical strategies for taming your brain’s desire for novelty—improving your relationships and finding lasting satisfaction. Interesting and easy-to-read, this book is full of strategies for living a more intentional life. I enjoyed the audiobook narration. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

About the author

Trained as a physicist, Michael E. Long is coauthor of the international bestseller The Molecule of More, which has been translated into more than 20 languages. As a playwright, he’s had more than two dozen of his shows produced, most on New York stages. As a screenwriter, his honors include finalist for the grand prize in screenwriting at the Slamdance Film Festival. As a speechwriter, Mr. Long has written for members of Congress, US cabinet secretaries, presidential candidates, and Fortune 10 CEOs. A popular keynote speaker, Mr. Long has addressed audiences around the world, including at Oxford University. He teaches writing at Georgetown University, where he is a former director of writing. Mr. Long pursued undergraduate studies at Murray State University, and graduate studies at Vanderbilt University.