The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity--and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race

In The Molecule of More, psychiatrist Daniel Z. Lieberman and writer Michael E. Long explore the extraordinary influence of dopamine on human behaviour. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology, they reveal how this neurotransmitter shapes our desires, ambitions, relationships, and creativity, driving our fascination with what lies just beyond our reach.

Through compelling scientific discoveries and relatable examples, the authors examine why the excitement of falling in love can fade, why achieving our goals rarely guarantees lasting satisfaction, and how the same mechanisms that inspire innovation can also contribute to addiction and self-destructive behaviour. At the heart of the book lies a fascinating distinction: dopamine is less concerned with enjoying what we have than with pursuing what we might obtain.

With wit, clarity, and an engaging sense of curiosity, Lieberman and Long offer a thought-provoking exploration of the forces that drive human ambition. The result is a revealing look at why we are so often drawn toward the promise of something more, even when happiness may lie in appreciating what is already within our reach.