A new category of digital platforms, often referred to as “dopamine apps” or “dopamine sites,” is gaining global traction. These services allow users to simulate everyday activities—such as ordering food, shopping for luxury items, or even mimicking the act of smoking—without any real-world delivery, payment, or consumption.

Platforms like FoodNeverComes and the U.S.-based Dopamine Shop provide users with the experience of browsing, selecting, and confirming an order. While no physical goods are ever shipped, these apps tap into the brain's dopamine pathways. By simulating the anticipation, control, and confirmation stages of a transaction, users receive a psychological reward similar to retail therapy or wish-list creation, despite the absence of a final product.

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Although these apps are free to use, experts warn that they may not be entirely harmless. There is concern that the gamified nature of these platforms could act as a “gateway behavior,” potentially conditioning users toward real-world equivalents. Research into social casino gaming has previously shown that simulated experiences can sometimes lead users to engage in real-money gambling later on.

Furthermore, these platforms often monetize their user base through advertising. By utilizing cookies and tracking browsing habits, these sites gather data on user preferences. This information allows third-party advertisers to serve highly targeted ads, meaning that a user’s simulated choices can directly influence the marketing they encounter elsewhere online.

Source: The Conversation