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The 'couch economy' emerges as instant gratification leads to 'dopamine recession'

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

A new economic trend, dubbed the "couch economy," is emerging due to the constant availability of instant gratification, leading to a "dopamine recession." This phenomenon, characterized by increased online and in-app spending, is driven by the brain's reward system becoming desensitized, requiring more frequent and easier rewards just to feel normal. The trend is observable in spending data across multiple countries, with services like food delivery and streaming subscriptions becoming baseline expectations for consumers seeking minimal friction. AI

IMPACT This trend highlights how digital convenience and instant gratification, often facilitated by AI-driven platforms, can impact human behavior and societal norms.

RANK_REASON Article discusses a socio-economic trend and its psychological underpinnings, citing research and expert opinions, rather than announcing a specific event.

Read on Fortune →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

The 'couch economy' emerges as instant gratification leads to 'dopamine recession'

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3 / 100
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Article discusses a socio-economic trend and its psychological underpinnings, citing research and expert opinions, rather than announcing a specific event.
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Breaking (< 6h)
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Fortune TIER_1 English(EN) · Catherina Gioino ·

    America’s bedrot era: How the dopamine recession created the ‘couch economy’

    New spending data shows how much of the economy now depends on people staying home, and a chase for quick, easy hits of stimulation may be driving it.

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