Dopamine Kids

The revolutionary new book from the international bestselling author of Hunt, Gather, Parent.

Why do video games include missions?

Why does junk food give us cravings?

Because they tap into dopamine, the neurotransmitter that motivates us to want more.

Companies and developers use knowledge of how dopamine affects our children’s brains to sell them screens, games and ultra-processed foods. In Dopamine Kids, Michaeleen Doucleff, bestselling author of Hunt, Gather, Parent, empowers parents with this same knowledge, but instead shows how to utilize it to reinforce positive habits, activities and lifestyle choices.

Through five simple and science-backed steps, she demonstrates how to identify unhealthy hobbies and re-direct your child’s motivation to build positive ones. Swap binge-watching with reading. Replace the excitement of screens with the thrill of outdoor activities. Substitute ultra-processed foods for the joy of baking.

By understanding and harnessing the power of dopamine, we can help our children build independence, concentration, strong mental health and, above all, thrive in an ever-changing world.

Reviews

Praise for Hunt, Gather, Parent

'My jaw was practically dropping at every page turn. I just couldn’t believe what I was reading! I was desperate to try it out on my own kids.' – Ali Maffucci, NYT bestselling author of Inspiralized and Inspiralize Everything

'Parents will find Doucleff’s curiosity contagious and guidance encouraging.' – Publishers Weekly

About the author

Michaeleen Doucleff has reported for NPR’s Science Desk for more than decade and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Hunt, Gather, Parent. In 2015, she was part of the team that earned a George Foster Peabody award for its coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Prior to joining NPR, Doucleff spent nearly a decade as a research chemist, including a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. She has a doctorate of chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor of science from the California Institute of Technology. She lives with her husband and daughter in Texas.