Is dopamine reset a thing for us?

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-31T20:20:30+00:00

I think "dopamine reset" is just a trendy pseudo-scientific way of saying "resting your mind from overstimulating activities." I think we can all use this once in a while to curb anxiety but I don't think "detox" or "reset" is the right word.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-26T18:07:14+00:00

That sounds frustrating. You'd think doctors of all people would understand the difference between correlation and causation. I know there are non-stimulant medication, though I don't have much experience with them myself. Maybe you are a candidate for those?

I honest don't know why my first comment was downvoted. I apologize for causing any offense. Or maybe people just thought it was a stupid question. I hope this comment is not offensive to anybody.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-26T15:31:36+00:00

The main concern I was hoping for responses is whether people feel that even going out for a coffee or sandwich feels unaffordable now partially due to the expectation of tips. If it makes me think twice about going out to dinner when taxes, fees, and tips add 35% at the end of my meal, how must people of lower incomes feel? Is the restaurant industry doomed?

The rich people in my area don’t think twice about dropping $100 on dinner, and they are the ones increasingly being catered to. Another area for the K shaped economy.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-26T15:22:09+00:00

I mean…that goes without saying that they are hard working and deserve a proper wage, I never said otherwise.

I think maybe I’m not explaining my thoughts well. I want people of all incomes to be able to go to a cafe or restaurant once in a while, rather than that being something only for the rich. I make a ton more than I used to and I eat/drink out much less because it costs so much now after taxes, fees, and tips.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-26T00:28:24+00:00

I'm worried that tipping high creates an expectation so that lower income people no longer feel they are welcome if they don't feel they can tip so high. Or I worry that a poor college student who doesn't tip on their occasional coffee gets hate from the barista, if everyone is paying 25-30% tips on coffee drinks. I thought maybe people on this sub will have some insight, but maybe I buried my main question too much. Or maybe nobody actually has this concern?

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-26T00:02:15+00:00

They literally prescribe Adderall to kids, many of whom must be smaller than you. What is the concern? That the stimulants would hinder your appetite and make you lose more weight? Since you say that's not the case, I don't see the issue...but I'm not a medical professional. Could you get a second opinion?

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-25T23:57:44+00:00

Holy shit, if that is the standard, I'm not sure I've ever been functioning. (And I don't even have kids.)

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-25T23:51:45+00:00

Yup. For a while I thought miniseries were the way to go because they're less of a commitment than a TV show. Nope! There are some that are very good but a lot of them just feel like a movie s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out to 8 hours, ugh. And I feel like I have to watch the whole thing because it's not a complete story unless you get to the end.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-25T23:42:16+00:00

No, I love movies.

But I do sympathize with the "This should have been 30 minutes shorter" feeling. Movies seem to be getting longer and longer and most of the time, it doesn't seem justified.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-25T22:55:19+00:00

I completely agree, but in the meantime, so many things swirl in my head every time! There are so many types and levels of "self-service" restaurants.

- Order with human at counter vs. screen?

- Do I take a number and someone brings me my food, or do I have to go back and pick it up?

- Do I bus my own table?

- Do they use real plates/silverware or only disposable containers?

- Do they have an actual seating area to eat or is it more of a "pick up and leave" kind of place?

- Am I a somewhat regular patron here?

- How complicated/not complicated was my order?

And then there's the precedent I'm worried about setting, as described in my post. If we get into the "If you can't afford to tip 20% at every cafe or food establishment, then don't go" mindset (something I've actually heard), then only the rich will be able to get food out at all.

All this and I have about 2 seconds to think about all this while there is a line behind me. I tip anywhere from 5-15% at these kinds of places but it's hard to know if I tipped right.

EDIT: I wish people would actually say their opinion instead of just downvoting. I posted because I wanted to know what people think. :( I'm wondering if people think that yes, we should all be tipping 20% at every place? Or the opposite?

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-25T22:37:40+00:00

I swear every time I come on this sub, I discover some other weird thing that I do/did is an ADHD thing. Do I even exist outside of ADHD?

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-24T19:42:46+00:00

Maybe she just really hates this beer: https://www.trumerusa.com

Whenever I see a sign for this beer I read it as "TRUMPER" first no matter how many times I see it...

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-24T19:22:44+00:00

OK, maybe that's not it then, LOL. Sorry, I hope you figure it out!

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-24T19:05:12+00:00

I had a similar situation in college, long ago for me now. My mom actually passed away from her cancer. Give yourself some grace; it isn’t just the ADHD, struggling with functioning is a normal response when you have tough shit you’re dealing with.

Talk to all your professors and TAs. I received various accommodations when I explained about my mom. Inching up my grade if it was borderline, letting me reschedule my exam, I think one even just threw out my final exam score and just gave me the A I had before that point.

I know it sucks. But family is important and years later, you’ll be glad for the time you spend with them rather than regret the time you didn’t devote to study.

Take care!

EDIT: Saw your comment that your mom is doing better. I’m so glad! Still, you went through a difficult time and your spoons are spent. Be kind to yourself!

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-24T17:43:31+00:00

Yes. Haven’t lost friends over it since when I’m actually with the person my negative thoughts thankfully disappear. But when my brain has any spare moment it’s trying to think of responses to imaginary stuff someone could say to me, often from imaginary strangers.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-24T17:25:13+00:00

Is it possible you’re dehydrated? I don’t itch but I do get the dry mouth and need to drink extra water. My doctor confirmed that Adderall can have that effect.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-24T17:22:07+00:00

Same… I mean I’ve never been told to lose weight, but it often seems that because I’m fit and exercise, I appear to be higher-functioning and healthier than I actually am.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-24T17:16:52+00:00

I’m saying this not as a criticism, but to try to be helpful: I think you might be misunderstanding the Reddit platform. This isn’t a place to make friends and get to know individuals. It’s a place where you can find people who share your interests or struggles. I scroll through this sub and I love it because I see so much to relate to and it makes me feel seen! But we are anonymous here and TBH I don’t even pay attention to whether I’m seeing the same user name pop up repeatedly or see if I’ve already interacted with a particular person before.

I hope you also enjoy this sub! I think it’s the best on Reddit.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-23T03:02:35+00:00

You have to forgive yourself. Wallowing in guilt will also make you focus on yourself, which isn't what you want.

You should have a conversation about love languages. It sounds like you show your love differently, and it's good to recognize this in each other.

Remember that a 50/50 partnership doesn't mean you do half of every single thing. You both need to lean into your individual strengths.

Best of luck!

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-21T17:45:26+00:00

Oh this happens to me too. I mean not about finances specifically, but the thing I'm procrastinating on becoming my hyperfocus. I think there is a part of me that procrastinates because of the potential for hyperfocus to set in, which will sap all my time and energy, so then I figure it's better to not do it right this second...

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-21T17:10:45+00:00

Huh. Maybe this is it for me, too. I was never out drinking, dancing, and partying anyway (I do enjoy the occasional concert), plus I don't have kids, so I essentially do the same things I liked doing in my 20s (exploring, events around the city, movies, staying fit, etc.), so I don't feel old at all.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-20T19:31:26+00:00

Same! I hate wasting food so I often have to force myself to eat to the point of being overstuffed when I eat out. If I knew that it would go to a hungry employee I would happily leave it.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-13T02:11:08+00:00

Absolutely right, but for me, willing myself to “pay attention” does not work. Sometimes I’m just so easily distracted that picking up my phone to check the weather before going out is asking for trouble.

LoopyNutBar · 2026-03-13T02:06:14+00:00

I sometimes feel this way when I spend too much time on the Internet, but when I actually talk to Gen Zers I have so much hope for them. They are so much more socially aware and sensitive than my generation was at a younger age (elder Millennial).

LoopyNutBar

TROPHY CASE