What is the underlying factor that drives humans to engage in behaviors that are damaging? Whether it’s gambling, drinking, or eating to excess, it’s not uncommon in our society for folks to get sucked into repetitive, detrimental habits. It turns out, there’s an evolutionary foundation behind this behavior, and it’s the topic of the new book, The Scarcity Brain.

Today’s guest, Michael Easter is a professor and the author of The Comfort Crisis and The Scarcity Brain. His work encompasses the idea of utilizing modern science and evolutionary wisdom in order to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives. He joins this episode of The Model Health Show to share the fascinating science of scarcity, moderation, fixation, and happiness.

You’re going to learn about the scarcity loop and how it drives us to repeat unhealthy habits. We’ll talk about the psychology of gambling, overeating, excessive screen time, and so much more. If you want to break the cycle of constantly craving more, this interview will help you create meaningful change. I hope you enjoy this interview with Michael Easter!

In this episode you’ll discover:

The interesting ways our society has removed discomfort from our daily lives.
Why there’s an evolutionary mismatch between our drive and our environment.
What scarcity brain means.
Why moderation is so difficult for most folks.
What we can learn about human drive from slot machines.
Three main components of a behavior loop.
Examples of the scarcity loop in our modern world.
The psychology of gambling.
What pigeon studies on gambling can teach us about stimulation.
How the theory of optimal stimulation explains addiction.
Why slot machines became more popular after a few simple tweaks.
How humans evolved to overeat.
The fascinating history of snacking.
Three v’s of a popular snack.
Why ultra-processed foods are easier to overeat.
Three ways to fix your craving mindset.
How scarcity cues can impact our behavior.
The internal cues that prompt us to pick up our phones.
How boredom can enhance creativity.

Items mentioned in this episode include:

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