Sugar. Sex. Slots. Shots. Series. Smoking. Songs. Starbucks. Supercars. The list goes on.
Welcome to the world of pure pleasure — the realm of endless fulfilment and happiness, where dreams come true, and life gets better. Or so we’re told.
Absolute bullshit.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
This is the sneaky nature of pleasure — it lures us into believing it’s the treasure we’re seeking, the path to ultimate happiness.
Welcome to one of existence’s biggest traps.
Now, let’s be clear: pleasure has its rightful place. And not all things that are used for pleasure are necessarily empty. For example, sex can be pursued very consciously and very deeply, as can money. Pleasure is part of life’s design, and when engaged with consciously, it can add fun and richness. But here’s the catch — it’s crucial to see it for what it truly is: a transient sensation, neither deeply fulfilling nor connected to life’s essence. Always leaving you wanting more…
At its core, pleasure is an endless cycle of dopamine stimulation. It often leads to addiction rather than satisfaction. When you understand this clearly, you can begin to free yourself from its grip.
Pleasure is just that: pleasure. Nothing more. A means in itself. A means to be enjoyed sometimes. But not a means to any end. It doesn’t build anything or develop anywhere.
Contemplate this deeply.
Growth comes when you stop mistaking pleasure for something it’s not. See it for exactly what it is — a light switch: on when you have it, off when it’s gone. Thousands of iterations later, you’re still in the same place. On. Off. On. Off. Nothing changes. After countless puffs of a vape, the switch flips off, and you crave it again. The millionth puff is no different from the tenth. Nothing is gained. The interesting thing at the end of this, is that based on how dopamine gets stimulated, not only is the millionth puff no different from the tenth, but after longer use, will actually give you less satisfaction.
If you want to learn more about pleasure and dopamine, then Dr Anna Lembke is a powerful resource. She has an incredible book called Dopamine Nation. Eye opening material.
So What is the Biggest Trap of Pleasure?
Here’s the most deceptive part: over time, pleasure stops being about genuine enjoyment. Instead, it becomes a tool to avoid the discomfort of cravings. You’re no longer pursuing the pleasure itself—you’re trying to escape the agitation within you, caused by the withdrawal.
Pleasure becomes a way to remove pain, craving and discomfort that it caused.
It’s sneaky. You might think, “I want to enjoy this vape,” but what you’re unconsciously saying is, “I want relief from this mental and physical discomfort, and I know the vape can provide it.” The vape becomes a means to an end, not an end in itself.
This cycle creates the illusion that pleasure improves your life. But it doesn’t. It only alleviates the withdrawal symptoms it caused in the first place. Without cravings, life isn’t empty or boring— it’s the cycle of dependence that makes it feel that way.
Pleasure cannot fulfil the need for joy. It offers fleeting gratification, but it’s not a substitute for the lasting connection and satisfaction that true joy provides. Once pleasure ends, you’re back where you started.
Breaking Free
If you’re serious about self-actualisation, study the mechanics of pleasure. Observe how it works and step out of the cycle of cravings. This doesn’t mean rejecting pleasure altogether — it means engaging with it consciously, free from compulsion. Ironically, when approached this way, pleasure becomes more enjoyable because it’s no longer burdened by addiction or need.
Ask yourself some important questions:
- What can I pursue that will bring me lasting joy?
- What deeply connects me to reality?
- What pleasures end up disconnecting me from reality later down the line?
- What types of things can I engage with that will give me the deepest life possible?
- What is the difference between pursuing pleasure consciously versus unconsciously?
- When I look closely, does pleasure ever give me a lasting satisfaction?
Contemplate pleasure deeply. Start to observe it. Notice the depth of the game that is going on right under your nose.
The goal is to move toward activities and experiences that offer lasting peace and connection — things that pay dividends of satisfaction long after they’ve ended.
Here’s the secret: You want the gold? Then use the map that actually has the gold!
#7
