Book · 2012 · Social Science
Addiction by Design
Machine Gambling in Las Vegas
Why people recommend it
Addiction by Design by Natasha Dow Schüll is an ethnographic investigation into the mechanics of machine gambling, focusing on the design strategies that bind players to video poker terminals. Andrew Huberman spoke on the Huberman Lab podcast on January 12, 2026, alongside Dr. Keith Humphreys while exploring methods to overcome substance and behavioral addictions. During the discussion, Huberman brought up Schüll's book, noting that it provides a tremendous examination of gambling addiction. Although he briefly hesitated on the exact pronunciation of the author's last name, Huberman clearly recalled the title and its core subject matter, emphasizing how the author profiles individuals caught in the loop of playing video poker. The reference served to underscore the powerful environmental and technological triggers that reinforce compulsive behavioral loops in modern commercial spaces.
Who recommended it
- Andrew Huberman Recommended
Andrew Huberman — 1 mention
“There's a tremendous book Addiction by Design and I'm afraid I'm going to mispronounce the the name of the person who wrote I think it's Schull but I'm not sure but I know the title Addiction by Design about gambling and she profiles people who play video poker”