The Impact of Intermittent Variable Reward on Dopamine Spikes

Episode 2432 - BEST OF: On this Friday's BEST OF show, Vinnie Tortorich speaks to Dr. Nadir Ali and they discuss low-carb events, lipotoxicity and cholesterol, dopamine and hijacking your brain, and more. https://vinnietortorich.com/2024/01/statins-and-cholesterol-dr-nadir-ali-episode-2432/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Pure Vitamin Club Pure Coffee Club NSNG® Foods VILLA CAPPELLI EAT HAPPY KITCHEN STATINS AND CHOLESTEROL Vinnie welcomes Dr. Nadir Ali back as a guest and they start by chatting a bit about Dr. Ali's focus on educational events, quality cholesterol, and living a "non-prescription lifestyle." (2:35) They also discuss how several doctors' or writers' careers have been limited, or even stopped, when they have tried to educate with the truth. (5:45) Maryanne Demasi from Australia is an example; Vinnie explains who she is. Also, both Gary Fettke and Tim Noakes have been targeted previously. The limitations on certain freedoms and access to information are concerning. The conversation leads to the use of statins. (12:07) Vinnie relays info from a consult he had and why he advised the person to find a different doctor. Dr. Ali goes into detail about when things like statins and CAC scans can be useful, and when they are unnecessary. For a doctor to just give you a statin and tell you it's good for you is not great; there are instances where a statin helps, and when they do not. He also goes into detail about genetic factors like PCSK-9, and how it makes a difference in cholesterol levels. (20:30) Vinnie asks about the carnivore diet and whether it's a good idea for cholesterol. (23:00) There are plenty of good reasons to eat meat. There is potential for lipotoxicity in some people; Dr. Ali explains. (25:10) There needs to be an individualized approach; as a result, it may be better to transition in stages. HIJACKING YOUR BRAIN They switch to talking about how to get people to change their habits, as everyone always wants a "magic bullet". (31:00) Dr. Ali goes into how he and his colleagues have come up with tricks and hacks to help people improve their habits. (31:30) Dr. Ali goes into detail about the "dopamine spike effect." (32:10) He describes studies that show the anticipation of the reward is what spikes the dopamine, NOT the reward itself. He also talks about how food engineering has manipulated our brains to want to eat more, especially things like sugars. Vinnie and Dr. Ali discuss addiction, and willpower vs. changing your environment. (37:00) They discuss how to get someone who is less disciplined to be able to change habits. (47:10) Dr. Ali describes a study that shows how random rewards affect dopamine, anticipation, and behavior. (50:50) The same behavior modification is used in Vegas on slot machines. The food industry uses a similar effect to hijack your brain by modifying food to trigger addiction and purchasing patterns. This leads the conversation to today's tech, algorithms, and the challenge of addiction in that area. (54:00) Vinnie tells Dr. Ali about what he observed with a young man at the gym. Dr. Ali mentions how he has changed his environment to change his patterns. For all the benefits of tech, there is a detrimental side. (59:00) Dr. Ali can be found at alicardiology.com; on youtube at eatmostlyfats; and in his Low Carb Denver talk. [the_ad id="20253"] PURCHASE BEYOND IMPOSSIBLE The documentary launched on January 11! Order it TODAY! This is Vinnie's third documentary in just over three years. Get it now on Apple TV (iTunes) and/or Amazon Video! Link to the film on Apple TV (iTunes): bit.ly/beyondimpossibleitunes Then, Share this link with friends, too! It's also now available on Amazon (the USA only for now)! https://amzn.to/3JNhrPE Visit my new Documentaries HQ to find my films everywhere: https://vinnietortorich.com/documentaries REVIEWS: Please submit your REVIEW after you watch my films. Your positive REVIEW does matter! FAT: A DOCUMENTARY 2 (2021) Visit my new Documentaries HQ to find my films everywhere: https://vinnietortorich.com/documentaries Then, please share my fact-based, health-focused documentary series with your friends and family. The more views, the better it ranks, so please watch it again with a new friend! REVIEWS: Please submit your REVIEW after you watch my films. Your positive REVIEW does matter! FAT: A DOCUMENTARY (2019) Visit my new Documentaries HQ to find my films everywhere: https://vinnietortorich.com/documentaries Then, please share my fact-based, health-focused documentary series with your friends and family. The more views, the better it ranks, so please watch it again with a new friend! REVIEWS: Please submit your REVIEW after you watch my films. Your positive REVIEW does matter!