Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil made from the fruit of the oil palm tree, mainly found in Indonesia and Malaysia. It’s used in over 50% of all packaged products in supermarkets—from chocolate to shampoo, instant noodles to lipstick. It’s cheap, shelf-stable, and incredibly versatile. 

Quick Facts About Palm Oil: 

• Comes from the fruit of the Elaeis guineensis tree 

• Grows best in tropical climates near the equator 

• Yields more oil per acre than any other crop 

• Found in food, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and biofuels 

Why Is Palm Oil So Popular? 

High Yield Efficiency 

Palm oil is one of the most productive oil crops in the world. It needs less land to produce the same amount of oil compared to soybean, sunflower, or rapeseed. This means more oil from smaller areas. 

Versatile Use in Products 

Palm oil gives products a creamy texture, extends shelf life, and remains solid at room temperature without hydrogenation (which creates harmful trans fats). It’s a low-cost, stable fat perfect for mass production. 

Economic Value 

Palm oil contributes billions of dollars to the economies of developing countries, providing jobs and income to millions of people. Entire communities rely on this crop. 

The Real Problem Isn’t the Oil—It’s How We Get It 

The palm oil itself isn’t the villain. The true issue lies in how it’s produced. Here’s where the problem begins: 

Deforestation and Loss of Biodiversity 

• Vast rainforests are cleared to plant oil palm trees. 

• This destroys homes of animals like orangutans, tigers, and elephants. 

• Over 27 million hectares of tropical forest have been lost to palm oil plantations. 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

• Cutting down forests releases large amounts of carbon dioxide. 

• Peatlands, which store massive amounts of carbon, are often drained and burned, making things worse. 

Human Rights Issues 

• Some plantations use child labor or forced labor. 

• Many local communities are displaced or lose access to their ancestral lands. 

Poor Regulation 

• Weak environmental laws or lack of enforcement in some countries lead to unsustainable practices. 

Common Misunderstandings About Palm Oil 

Myth #1: All Palm Oil Is Bad 

Not true. Sustainable palm oil exists and can be produced without harming the environment or people. 

Myth #2: We Should Ban Palm Oil 

Banning palm oil might cause even more harm. Other vegetable oils need more land and resources, which could lead to more deforestation elsewhere. 

Myth #3: Palm Oil Is Unhealthy 

Palm oil in moderation is not worse than other oils. It contains both saturated and unsaturated fats and is often used without trans fats. 

Why It’s in Everything: The Perfect Ingredient 

Low Cost, High Stability 

Palm oil is cheap to produce, has a long shelf life, and stays solid without needing chemical processing. 

Neutral Taste 

Its mild flavor means it doesn’t affect the taste of food, making it ideal for baking, frying, and snack products. 

Industrial Needs 

It works well in soaps, lotions, and detergents, acting as a natural emulsifier that binds ingredients together. 

Can Palm Oil Be Produced Responsibly? 

Yes—and some companies are working hard to do just that. 

Sustainable Palm Oil Certification 

Groups like the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) set rules for better practices: 

• No clearing of primary forests 

• Fair labor policies 

• Protection of wildlife habitats 

Progress and Challenges 

• Over 19% of palm oil produced globally is now certified sustainable. 

• Still, some companies greenwash their labels or fail to meet standards. 

What You Can Do: Smart Consumer Choices 

You have the power to push the market in a better direction. 

Check Labels 

• Look for “Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO)” 

• Avoid vague terms like “vegetable oil” without details 

Support Responsible Brands 

• Many companies commit to using 100% sustainable palm oil 

• Apps and websites can help you check which brands are doing it right 

Spread Awareness 

• Share accurate info about the palm oil issue 

• Encourage others to make ethical choices 

The Path Forward: Better Systems, Smarter Demand 

Palm oil isn’t going away. But we can improve how it’s grown and used. That means: 

• Investing in traceable supply chains 

• Holding companies accountable for eco-friendly sourcing 

• Empowering local farmers with training and fair pay 

• Supporting alternatives only when they’re truly sustainable 

Conclusion: It’s Complicated, But Change Is Possible 

Palm oil is deeply rooted in our global economy. The real issue is not its existence, but the way we produce and consume it. With better practices, real transparency, and smart choices, palm oil can become part of a solution, not the problem. 

Key Takeaways 

• Palm oil is in almost everything due to its versatility and low cost 

• The biggest issue is unsustainable farming, not the oil itself 

• Sustainable solutions are possible and already in motion 

• Your buying choices do make a difference 

Dopamine is often labeled as the “pleasure chemical,” but that’s a gross oversimplification. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter—a chemical messenger in the brain—that plays a powerful role in motivation, reward, learning, and movement. It doesn’t just make us feel good; it drives us to seek, strive, and achieve. 

Instead of creating pleasure, dopamine fuels the anticipation of rewards. It’s what makes you chase goals, click one more video, or check your phone again and again. We don’t crave the reward; we crave the feeling we might get from it. That’s dopamine at work. 

How Dopamine Shapes Our Everyday Behaviors 

We all feel the push of dopamine daily. Here’s how this mighty molecule influences our decisions: 

 Motivation: When dopamine is released in high amounts, it pushes us to take action. Without it, even simple tasks can feel like climbing a mountain. 

 Addiction: From social media to shopping, dopamine reinforces behaviors by rewarding them with a tiny burst of pleasure—making us come back for more. 

 Learning and Memory: Dopamine helps us learn from experiences by linking actions with outcomes. 

 Focus and Attention: It sharpens our focus, helping us zero in on what’s important. 

The key takeaway? Dopamine doesn’t reward you for getting something. It rewards you for wanting it. 

The Dopamine Misconception: It’s Not About Pleasure 

It’s easy to assume dopamine equals joy, but that’s not quite true. Pleasure is a feeling. Dopamine is a driver. You could feel miserable and still be driven to do something—like checking your email obsessively or returning to a toxic relationship. That’s dopamine in action. 

Dopamine is more about seeking than satisfaction. It’s what fuels the desire to chase pleasure, but it doesn’t give you the pleasure itself. That’s why people get hooked on pursuits that don’t even make them happy anymore. 

Where Does Dopamine Work in the Brain? 

Dopamine flows through four major pathways in the brain, each with its own job: 

 Mesolimbic Pathway: The reward circuit. It fires when we experience something new or exciting. 

 Nigrostriatal Pathway: Controls movement and coordination. Damaged in diseases like Parkinson’s. 

 Mesocortical Pathway: Influences thinking and decision-making. Affects attention and memory. 

 Tuberoinfundibular Pathway: Regulates hormone levels from the pituitary gland. 

Each path is like a highway. Too little or too much traffic on any one of them, and things go wrong. 

The Dark Side of Dopamine: When Balance Breaks 

Too much dopamine in certain brain regions is linked to schizophrenia and mania, while too little is connected to depression, fatigue, and Parkinson’s disease. Here’s how things can go wrong: 

 Addiction: The brain gets used to high levels of dopamine. Normal activities no longer feel satisfying. 

 Overstimulation: Constant social media, binge-watching, or junk food hijacks dopamine, making you crave more but feel less. 

 Dopamine Deficiency: This leads to low motivation, poor focus, and even sadness. 

We need dopamine—but in the right doses and for the right reasons. 

Dopamine and Modern Life: Why We’re All Hooked 

Today’s world is a dopamine minefield. Every ping, scroll, or like on social media gives a mini dopamine spike. But here’s the kicker: more hits don’t mean more happiness. In fact, they make the brain numb over time. 

This leads to: 

 Shorter attention spans 

 Need for constant stimulation 

 Restlessness and anxiety when idle 

 Decreased joy from everyday things 

We’re constantly overstimulated and under-satisfied. 

How to Reset Your Dopamine System Naturally 

The good news? The brain can bounce back. Here are simple habits to balance your dopamine levels: 

1. Try a Dopamine Detox 

Take a day away from screens, sugar, shopping, or anything that gives instant pleasure. Let your brain reset and rediscover joy in the little things. 

2. Exercise Regularly 

Moving your body naturally boosts dopamine levels and helps regulate mood. 

3. Eat Dopamine-Friendly Foods 

Foods rich in tyrosine (like eggs, almonds, bananas, and fish) help the brain produce dopamine. 

4. Practice Delayed Gratification 

Train your brain to enjoy the process, not just the reward. This strengthens long-term motivation. 

5. Get Good Sleep 

Dopamine works best when your sleep is on track. Poor sleep disrupts dopamine receptors. 

The Dopamine Trap: Seeking More, Feeling Less 

Dopamine makes us feel alive when chasing things—but it can also trap us in cycles of endless wanting. The trick isn’t to kill dopamine but to use it wisely. Chase the things that matter. Let go of those that don’t. 

The most successful people aren’t the ones who feel the most pleasure—they’re the ones who know how to control their cravings. 

Dopamine in Simple Terms: What We Must Remember 

 Dopamine is not about joy—it’s about the chase. 

 It makes us act, not just feel. 

 It fuels both achievement and addiction. 

 Modern life floods us with too much dopamine stimulation. 

 We can reset our brains with natural, mindful habits. 

Understanding dopamine is like learning how your inner engine works. Once you know what fuels it, you can go further—without burning out. 

When photographers and nature lovers talk about the “golden hour,” they usually mean that perfect stretch of time shortly after sunrise or just before sunset when sunlight bathes the world in a warm, soft glow. It’s famously ideal for snapping breathtaking photos, romantic strolls, or just soaking in the beauty of nature. But here’s a twist: the golden hour isn’t always an hour—and sometimes, it’s barely a few minutes. 

The Golden Hour Myth: It’s Not a Fixed 60 Minutes 

Most people assume the golden hour lasts exactly 60 minutes. In reality, the length of golden hour can fluctuate dramatically—sometimes it’s 20 minutes, sometimes over 90 minutes. This variability depends on two main factors: 

• Latitude: How far north or south you are from the equator. 

• Season: Time of year and the earth’s tilt relative to the sun. 

Why Does Latitude Matter? 

Near the equator, the sun rises and sets almost vertically, plunging the sun quickly below or above the horizon. This creates a fast transition through twilight phases, resulting in a very short golden hour—sometimes just 20 to 30 minutes. 

Conversely, closer to the poles (think Scandinavia, Alaska, or northern Canada), the sun arcs more gradually along the horizon, lingering near sunrise or sunset. During certain times of the year, golden hour can stretch well beyond an hour—sometimes lasting for hours! In some Arctic and Antarctic regions during summer, the sun barely dips below the horizon at all, creating a magical “golden” twilight that lasts nearly all night. 

Seasons Shape the Golden Hour’s Duration 

During equinoxes, when day and night are nearly equal worldwide, golden hour tends to be shorter because the sun’s path is steeper. But as you approach solstices, especially winter or summer solstice, the sun’s angle flattens out. This means a longer golden hour in winter for mid-to-high latitudes, and shorter in summer. 

This can flip your expectations: in winter, when you might expect less light, the golden hour can actually dominate your day’s natural lighting, creating long, warm light perfect for photography and outdoor activities—if you time it right. 

The Hidden Role of Atmosphere and Elevation 

Beyond location and season, atmospheric conditions and your elevation also shape the golden hour: 

• Atmospheric particles like pollution or dust can scatter sunlight differently, sometimes extending the warm glow. 

• Higher elevations can experience longer golden hours because the horizon dips lower relative to your viewpoint, giving more time for the sun to linger in that soft light zone. 

Practical Impact: Planning Your Day and Photoshoot 

Understanding the shifting length of the golden hour can revolutionize how you schedule outdoor activities or photo shoots: 

• Don’t assume you have a full hour; check local sunrise and sunset angles for exact golden hour times. 

• If you live at high latitudes, embrace the extended golden hours in winter for epic, moody landscapes. 

• Near the equator, be quick—your golden hour might only be a fleeting 20 minutes. 

Final Thought: The Golden Hour Is a Dynamic Dance of Earth and Sun 

Next time you hear about golden hour, remember it’s not just a catchy phrase but a dynamic natural phenomenon shaped by earth’s tilt, your position on the globe, and the time of year. Embrace this ever-changing light window as a secret gift from the cosmos—one that varies in length and beauty depending on where and when you find yourself. 

Golden hour is magic, but it’s magic that follows no clock. It’s the sun’s whispered invitation to pause, look up, and appreciate a fleeting moment of perfect light—however long it lasts.