The dopamine Loop

1. Social Media & the Dopamine
Loop
How apps are designed to keep
us hooked

2. What Is Dopamine?
Brain’s reward chemical
Released when pleasure is expected
Likes, comments, notifications trigger it

3. The Dopamine Loop
Trigger → Action → Reward → Repeat
Scroll • Like • Notification • Endless feed

4. How Apps Keep Us Hooked
Infinite scrolling
Variable rewards
Notifications & streaks
Autoplay videos

5. Impact & Takeaways
Boosts engagement
Can reduce focus
Awareness = control
Use social media — don’t let it use you