Dopamine Sites Let You Fake Order Food for Free Thrill

A novel trend known as 'dopamine sites' enables individuals to experience the process of ordering food without any financial expenditure. The leading platform, FoodNeverComes, allows users to explore various dishes, compare prices, add items to their cart, utilize a fictitious credit card for payment, and monitor a simulated delivery driver. Additionally, the site offers recipes for users to prepare their 'orders' at home. This trend began in South Korea, where Gen Z, grappling with high living expenses and burnout, engages with these sites to relish the excitement of shopping without the regret of spending. A 2023 study by Syed Sibghatullah Shah and Zahid Asghar revealed that the anticipation can provide a psychological reward comparable to or exceeding that of an actual purchase. A student named Kim shared with The Korea Times that using the site alleviates stress without making any purchases. This trend underscores how online shopping is frequently motivated by boredom, where the thrill of potential ownership can surpass the reality of acquiring the item.