Why does it feel so good to shop?

[SnoopyCool]

Maybe it is your hunter/gatherer genes responding to the closest they get to proper functioning.

I think this is true for me! I shop to stock-up on household essentials, groceries, etc. I've found relief in couponing and Walgreens/CVS. I've walked out of there with many free, deeply reduced things that we use in our home. That's very gratifying to me, and healthy on our budget.

[GREENBACK]

I guess this a a little bit reverse thinking of this subject but back in the spring I sold a few things and ended up with about 3k to go into my savings account. I took the money and counted it and took it to my brick and mortar bank. The feeling of depositing that cash was as good as any shopping spree and the bonus is I stiil have the money so I got the rush you might get from shopping and it's not just a temporary high.

[PrincessPerky]

Anthropologically...getting stuff has to feel good. Survival at one time depended on convincing lazy humans (that's most of us) that getting stuff even when not hungry was a good idea (saving for famine)

Plus the joy of new, humans are designed to be curious and want variety. (good for learning-infants really show this)

Also chemically humans want to get a mate. (though what exactly your subconscious thinks is good for getting a mate varies from person to person)

But like a fine wine, it is ok to indulge in a bit of dopamine, everything in moderation.