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Anna Lembke

Author Guide

Books Written by Anna Lembke

Lembke is a psychiatrist and professor at Stanford, where she runs the university’s Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. Her work translates clinical experience into accessible explanations of dopamine and reward circuitry.

Dopamine Nation is her breakout book. Drug Dealer, MD is an earlier, more specialized book focused on the opioid crisis.

By Lisanne Swart · 2 books · Psychiatry & Addiction · Updated August 2026

Quick answer

Anna Lembke is best known for Dopamine Nation (2021), which followed her earlier book Drug Dealer, MD (2016). Dopamine Nation is the one to start with.


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Psychiatry · AddictionStart here

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence

Anna Lembke · 2021

Lembke explains the neuroscience of dopamine, arguing that constant availability of instant pleasure — drugs, social media, food, shopping — has pushed much of the population toward chronic overstimulation.

Became a major bestseller for translating clinical neuroscience into a framework readers could apply to everyday compulsive behavior.

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Watch: Dr. Anna Lembke on Dopamine Nation and the Age of Digital Drugs

Anna Lembke joins Scott Galloway’s Prof G Conversations to discuss dopamine, digital compulsion, and modern pleasure.


Where to start with Anna Lembke

If you want her defining book

Dopamine Nation applies her expertise to modern life broadly.

If you want the opioid crisis specifically

Drug Dealer, MD is more clinically detailed.

If you’re dealing with a compulsive behavior

Dopamine Nation’s framework applies regardless of which behavior concerns you.

Frequently asked questions about Anna Lembke’s books

How many books has Anna Lembke written?

Two major books: Drug Dealer, MD (2016) and Dopamine Nation (2021).

What is the best Anna Lembke book to start with?

Dopamine Nation — her best-known and most widely applicable book.

Is Anna Lembke a practicing psychiatrist?

Yes. She’s a professor of psychiatry at Stanford and chief of its Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic.

Written by Lisanne Swart

Lisanne curates books for curious readers at lisanneswart.com, publishing original reading lists, author deep-dives, and honest recommendations since 2021. Read more about Lisanne.


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