Brain Expert: 6 Habits to Boost Focus & Concentration By 48 Percent (Hack Your Dopamine!) with TJ Power

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

How long can you stay focused on one task?

What distracts you the most when you’re trying to focus?

Today, Jay chats with neuroscientist and author TJ Power to uncover the science behind our brain’s chemistry and how it shapes our emotions, habits, and overall well-being. TJ, known for his expertise in optimizing dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins (the "DOSE" chemicals), explains how modern lifestyles can disrupt our brain’s natural balance and offers practical strategies to realign it for a happier, healthier life.

TJ and Jay begin the discussion with the brain’s evolutionary design and its mismatch with the modern digital age. TJ explains how our ancestors earned dopamine through hard work and perseverance, but today’s quick-fix solutions like social media, instant gratification, and other overstimulating activities lead to addiction, low motivation, and even burnout.

They shift into actionable steps to break free from these patterns. From implementing a simple morning routine, such as resisting the urge to check your phone first thing, to engaging in cold water therapy, TJ emphasizes the importance of earning dopamine through effort rather than shortcuts. He also shares the groundbreaking idea of "phone fasting" and how small, consistent breaks from screens can reset your brain chemistry, improve focus, and enhance productivity.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Start Your Day with Action

How to Detox from Your Phone in the Morning

How to Earn Dopamine Naturally

How to Improve Sleep by Cutting Sugar and Screens

How to Practice Gratitude Daily

How to Reset Your Mind in Nature

Small changes, like starting your day with action, spending less time on your phone, and practicing gratitude, can have a profound impact on your mental well-being.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Visit https://jayshettyshop.com - 100% of Proceeds are donated to National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

03:19 What is DOSE?

05:13 Social Media Triggers Rapid Rise in Dopamine

07:40 The 30-Minute Window Discipline

09:32 The Benefits of Phone-Fasting

12:42 Take Action as Soon as You Wake

14:36 How to Start the Day Phone-Free

19:16 Fast Release Leads to Low Motivation

21:06 Build Healthy Dopamine

26:25 How to Motivate Yourself to Keep Going

27:47 Pornography Addiction

34:25 Destressing Through Orgasm

36:04 Optimizing Dopamine

37:29 Slow Pleasure for Better Relationship

39:09 Dopamine and Flow State

42:53 Staying Focused and Improving Concentration

45:23 How to Improve Your Sleep Quality

47:39 Dealing with Boredom While Phone-Fasting

51:13 Positive Reinforcement of Dopamine at Home

52:58 How Oxytocin Affects Your Day

56:19 Grateful Thinking Works

58:46 Difference Between Procrastination and Overthinking

01:00:04 Focus on What You Can Do

01:02:42 High Stress and Burnout

01:04:42 Phone Detox is Necessary

01:07:13 Spend More Time in Nature

01:08:16 TJ on Final Five

Episode Resources:

TJ Power | Instagram

TJ Power | X

TJ Power | LinkedIn

The DOSE Lab

The DOSE Effect

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