A fascinating new theory has emerged on social media that promises to untangle your most unhealthy habits — specifically why you might still fall into toxic patterns with everything from food to love.
The now-viral hypothesis, dubbed the “Dorito theory,” posits that the way you consume potato chips can help explain your unhealthy behaviors in all areas of your life.
The premise of the theory is rooted in the process of eating a bag of chips.
It suggests that if you find yourself reaching for chip after chip as you consume a bag of Doritos, it’s probably because you’re just enjoying the moment you taste the unhealthy snack, and not really because your body is being nourished or satisfied by the act of eating them.
While some may see this as nothing more than a bout of the munchies, TikTok users alike are now suggesting that this behavior says a lot more about the worst habits in your life – with experts confirming that the Dorito theory does indeed serve as an example of why’ experiences that are not truly satisfying are maximally addictive’.
Your obsession with chips – especially Doritos – could explain why you keep falling into toxic patterns when it comes to food and love
The Dorito theory has taken the internet by storm as it explains that the need to reach for one chip after another is a pattern of addiction
The #DoritoTheory discussion – which has racked up more than 500,000 views on TikTok to date – was first sparked by a user who shared her thoughts on the hypothesis and admitted she couldn’t get it out of her head.
She said, “One thing I can’t stop thinking about is the Dorito theory. I learned from this and now I see everything a little differently.
‘The idea is that only experiences that are not really satisfying are maximally addictive. Imagine eating Doritos, when you eat a Dorito and finish your bite, you are not completely satisfied.”
She explained that munching on chips is not the same as eating a protein-rich meal.
‘Eating chips is addictive because the highlight of the experience comes when you first taste it and not afterwards. There is nothing that exists after the experience is done, the experience itself is ultimately not satisfying,” she added.
The TikToker noted that the high that comes with having something in the moment is extremely addictive and applies to many things in life.
“Just like the infinite scroll on TikTok, you’re never satisfied after you perform the behavior, it’s really just that micro moment of pressing the scroll when the dopamine kicks in,” she said.
She noted that people tend to want things that are “maximally addictive” because there is an extremely short-lived high associated with it.
An intimacy coach, who goes by @pursueyourwild on TikTok, also took to the video sharing platform to explain in detail how the chip ideology can translate into your love life
Both content creators claimed that the Dorito theory came about as a result of a short period of time
The content creator suggested that you go through the different things in life and pick out the parts that will bring you happiness quickly.
An intimacy coach, who goes by @pursueyourwild on TikTok, also took to the video-sharing platform to explain in detail how the chip ideology can translate into your love life.
“So the Dorito theory is basically the idea that you’ll eventually become addicted to something that doesn’t satiate you properly because you’re just stuck in the moment of trying to get satiety from someone who isn’t designed to satiate you.
“And that’s how addiction happens, we just get into patterns of more, more, more,” she explained.
The expert said that while a Dorito isn’t meant to satisfy your body, people continue to reach for it in search of the quick high.
She noted that the Dorito theory also applies to intimacy.
‘Intimacy, real intimacy, vulnerability, taking off the mask, showing someone else who you really are, that gives satisfaction.
“It creates a connection that is very satisfying,” she added, before noting that while healthy relationships are satisfying, people often seek short-term relationships to keep them happy, such as “empty sex.”
People on the internet flooded the comments section, sharing their thoughts on the viral theory
Speak with USA todayPsychologist Renee Car also shared why the Dorito theory is important to keep in mind.
She said: ‘Not experiencing satiety when engaging in a particular activity or in a relationship can leave you in a situation that is not truly satisfying, not healthy and not happy.
‘Because you experience just enough satisfaction, we wrongly think that complete satisfaction is possible, which causes us to stay longer or unnecessarily invest more energy.’
She noted that the amount of dopamine you have is “just enough” to keep you from seeing someone for who they really are — meaning you’ll “minimize the negative” parts of it to get another taste of the high.
Psychologist Alice Shepard told the outlet, “Bad habits can be related to unsatisfactory romantic relationships, friendships we should have let go of years ago, jobs that no longer work for us.”
People on the internet flooded the comments section, sharing their thoughts on the viral theory.
One person said, “You can never get enough of something you don’t need.”
Another user wrote: ‘Wow, this is groundbreaking.’
Someone else added: ‘This is so perfect.’
“A momentary pleasure versus a state of happiness,” one user wrote.