Taming the Molecule of More: A Step-by-Step Guide to Make Dopamine Work for You

by Michael E. Long

Overview

Named one of The Next Big Idea Club’s “Best Non-Fiction Books of the Year” (2025)

Dopamine, “the molecule of more,” makes it easy to get stuck in a cycle of never being truly satisfied. It promises happiness, but can never deliver. That part is up to us. A more fulfilling life begins with training your brain to overcome the dopamine chase—and it’s easier than you think.

From Michael E. Long, coauthor of the life-changing book The Molecule of More, comes this guide with practical solutions to the problem. Based on the latest neuroscience, it will teach you to overcome the most troubling aspect of our biological programming. You’ll learn to:

• Stop being held captive to the lure of social media and gaming
• Use multitasking in ways that increase your productivity—not hamper it
• Avoid the pitfalls that plague dating life—or refresh interest in the romance you already have
• Stop compulsive shopping, online and otherwise
• Break the cycle of doomscrolling and crush your obsession with the news
• Grow your creativity and call it up when you need it most

What if we could harness our struggles and our triumphs toward satisfaction for a lifetime? Taming the Molecule of More delivers a method to begin a more fulfilling life—right now.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781637746103
Publisher:	BenBella Books
Publication date:	04/15/2025
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Trained as a physicist, Michael E. Long is coauthor of the international bestseller The Molecule of More, which has been translated into more than 20 languages. As a playwright, he’s had more than two dozen of his shows produced, most on New York stages. As a screenwriter, his honors include finalist for the grand prize in screenwriting at the Slamdance Film Festival. As a speechwriter, Mr. Long has written for members of Congress, US cabinet secretaries, presidential candidates, and Fortune 10 CEOs. A popular keynote speaker, Mr. Long has addressed audiences around the world, including at Oxford University. He teaches writing at Georgetown University, where he is a former director of writing. Mr. Long pursued undergraduate studies at Murray State University, and graduate studies at Vanderbilt University.

Editorial Reviews

From neurobiology to Aristotelian ethics, this book is both a practical guide for living and a philosophical meditation on the meaning of life. Entertaining, informative, and persuasive, Taming the Molecule of More is a must-read for anyone who wants to feel better while also doing good.”
—Anna Lembke, MD, author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence

“[The] perfect companion to and expansion of The Molecule of More.”
—Jamie Lissow, comedian, actor, and writer

“Taming the Molecule of More kept me interested until the very last word, and in this world of sound bites and TikToks, that is no small achievement. Mike Long is the real deal.”
—Neil LaBute, director, screenwriter, and Tony Award–nominated playwright

“This book spans the evolution from the dopamine molecule itself to the encompassing meaning in our life—and does it practically!”
—Professor Alfried Längle, MD, PhD, founder of Existential Analysis and colleague and biographer of Viktor Frankl

“I absolutely loved this book! In an age where constant stimulation and immediate gratification are easily accessible, managing dopamine is crucial for maintaining our mental health, productivity, and quality of life. This book is full of so much wisdom, I found myself wanting to highlight every other line.”
—Lamar Dawson, the “Dirrty King of Pop” and SiriusXM TikTok radio host

“Mike Long’s sequel is an alchemy of science, wisdom, and heart.”
—Kelly J. Otter, PhD, dean of the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University

“Mike has found a way to make all the great ideas about improving yourself into an actual, workable plan. I highly recommend his hands-on-and-get-on-with-it philosophy. You'll have a super freaking awesome time and stuff.”
—Rodney Douglas Norman, comedian

“This book elegantly provides the best scientific evidence to our current understanding of the dopaminergic reward system and describes self-care practices for the brain to be an organ at the service of the person and humanity.”
—Edward Marshall, MD, PhD, Viktor E. Frankl Professor of Psychotherapy and Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Foundation

From the Publisher