What a 100-Hour Dopamine Detox Taught Me

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What a 100-Hour Dopamine Detox Taught Me

The other day, I was sitting with my family watching a YouTuber, and my son said,“Mumma, do you want to watch this video with me?”

It was about a 100-hour dopamine challenge.

And honestly, it got me thinking DOPAMINE, everyone is chasing it these days. Constant stimulation, scrolling, snacks, noise. We don’t even realise how dependent we’ve become.

So I decided to try it. My first ever 100-hour dopamine detox challenge.

The food part? Not that hard.The real challenge? My phone.

That’s where I struggled the most.

I didn’t make it to 100 hours. I stopped at 70.

But here’s the thing. I’m actually proud of those 70 hours. Truly proud.

Because this wasn’t about competing with anyone or comparing myself to others. It was about building my own personal record. My own discipline. My own awareness.

And I learned a lot about myself in the process.

I realised I don’t need constant stimulation to feel okay. I was completely fine, actually more than fine just with water, black coffee, and electrolytes.

What surprised me the most?I didn’t feel tired until around the 68th hour.

No brain fog.No crankiness.No anger.

Instead, I felt calm. Focused. Present.

I was listening more, helping more, and still going to work but with a different kind of clarity.

And when I finally broke my fast, I kept it simple and nourishing: boiled eggs, carrots, almonds, and a warm cup of Indian chai.

That moment felt grounding. No rush, no overindulging just appreciation.

This experience showed me something important:we think we need more to feel better, but sometimes we just need less.

For me, this journey was never about pressure. It wasn’t about proving anything to anyone. It was about showing up for myself, with a growth mindset and simple, sustainable habits.

Just becoming a better version of myself, step by step, while living in a way that feels true and authentic.

And honestly, that feels like a bigger win than any number.

Disha Saxena