Viral 'DORITO theory' reveals how your CHIP-eating preferences can expose the truth behind your most toxic and unhealthy habits

A fascinating new theory has emerged on social media that promises to untangle your most unhealthy habits – specifically why you might be continuing to fall into toxic patterns with everything from food to love.

Christened the ‘Dorito theory’, the now-viral hypothesis poses that the way in which you consume chips can help to explain your unhealthy behaviors across 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 when consuming a bag of Doritos, this is likely because you are only enjoying the moment in which you taste the unhealthy snack, and not actually because your body is being nourished or satisfied by the act of eating them.

While some might see this as nothing more than an attack of the munchies, TikTok users alike are now suggesting that this behavior indicates much more about the worst habits in your life – with experts confirming that the Dorito theory does serve as an example of why ‘experiences that aren’t truly satisfying are maximally addictive’.

Your obsession with potato chips – specifically Doritos – could explain why you keep falling into toxic patterns with food and love

The Dorito theory has taken the internet by storm as it explains that your need to reach for one chip after another is a pattern of addiction

The #DoritoTheory discussion – which has thus far amassed more than 500,000 views on TikTok – was first sparked by a user who shared her thoughts on the hypothesis, admitting that she hadn’t been able to get it off her mind.

She said: ‘One thing I can’t stop thinking about is called the Dorito theory.  I learned of this and now I see everything a little bit differently.

‘The idea is that only experiences that aren’t truly satisfying are maximally addictive. So imagine eating Doritos, when you eat a Dorito and finish your bite, you’re not fully satisfied.’

She explained that munching on the potato chips isn’t the same as eating a protein-filled meal.

‘Eating potato chips is addictive because the peak of the experience is kind of when you’re first tasting it and not after. There’s nothing that exists that exists after the experience is done, the experience itself is not satisfying in the end,’ she added.

The TikToker noted that the high that comes along with just having something in the moment is extremely addictive and applies to many things in life.

‘Like the infinite scroll on TikTok, you’re never satisfied after you engage in the behavior, it’s really just that micro-moment of hitting the scroll is when the dopamine comes in,’ she said.

She noted that people tend to want things that are ‘maximally addictive’ because there is an extreme short-lived high associated with them.

An intimacy coach, who goes by @pursueyourwild on TikTok, also took to the video-sharing platform to detail how the chip ideology can translate in your love life

Both content creators claimed that the Dorito theory occurred due to an short-time high

The content creator suggested that you go through the various things in life and cut out the parts that give you quick happiness.

An intimacy coach, who goes by @pursueyourwild on TikTok, also took to the video-sharing platform to detail how the chip ideology can translate in your love life.

‘So the Dorito theory is basically this idea that you will ultimately become addicted to something that’s not properly satiating you  because you’re just stuck trying to get satiation in the moment from someone who isn’t designed to satiate you.

‘And that’s how addiction happens, we just get into these patterns of like more, more, more,’ she explained.

The expert said that while a Dorito isn’t meant to satisfy your body, people keep grabbing more in search of the quick high.

She noted that the Dorito theory applies in intimacy as well.

‘Intimacy, true intimacy, vulnerability, taking off the mask, letting another see who you truly are is what is satisfying.

‘It creates a connection that is deeply satisfying,’ she added before noting that although healthy relationships are fulfilling people often seek short-term flings to keep them happy such as ’empty sex.’

People on the web flooded the comments section and shared their thoughts about the viral theory

Speaking to USA Today, psychologist Renee Car also touched on why the Dorito theory is an important thing to keep in mind.

She said:  ‘Not experiencing satiation when engaging in a particular activity or in a relationship can influence you into staying in a situation that is not truly satisfying, not healthy and not happy.

‘Because you experience just enough satisfaction, we mistakenly think that full satisfaction is possible – leading us to stay longer or invest more energy unnecessarily.’

She noted that the amount of dopamine you have is ‘just enough’ that it stops you from seeing a person for who they really are – meaning that you will ‘minimize the negative’ parts of them to get another taste of the high.

Psychologist Alice Shepard told the outlet: ‘Bad habits can be related to unfulfilling romantic relationships, friendships we should have let go of years ago, jobs that no longer work for us.’

People on the web flooded the comments section and shared their thoughts about the viral theory.

One person said: ‘You can never get enough of something you don’t need.’

Another user wrote: ‘Wow, this is game-changing.’

Someone else added: ‘This is so spot on.’

‘Momentary pleasure vs a state of happiness,’ one user wrote.