Neurosurgery expert warns of addiction risk from viral “dopamine sites”

Brain‑Neurosurgery specialist Prof. Dr. Orhan Şen warned that the newly viral “dopamine sites”, which first appeared in South Korea and have spread worldwide, manipulate the brain’s reward system by artificially raising dopamine levels. The platforms display fake shopping carts, non‑existent balances and courier‑tracking messages that create fleeting excitement, potentially leading to addiction and serious psychological disorders, especially in individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Şen urged the public to stay away from such deceptive virtual environments and to rely on real‑world activities—exercise, proper sleep, social interaction—to maintain healthy dopamine release.

The expert highlighted that the excessive artificial dopamine can blunt natural pleasure responses, making real life feel less rewarding and increasing the risk of harmful habits.