Finding True Joy in Our Faith

Assalamu alaikum, everyone. Something a friend said in class today really made me think. We were both working, and I mentioned being bored. He joked that having a cigarette would help, but I said jokingly back that I don't want a temporary pleasure-I want one that lasts. He laughed and went on about how we should lower our dopamine by just staring at a wall, so normal things feel better. But then he pointed out that I probably have lower dopamine because I stop everything to pray, while others don't. So why do I feel more empty and crave more pleasure than them, even though I'm trying to follow the right path? He even suggested I might be doing something wrong, and there's some wisdom in that. It left me questioning for a while. My faith isn't weaker, but it made me sad and shook me a bit. Am I praying wrong? Is it because I'm not finding joy in my iman? Or have past sins made me numb? I'm really looking for some answers.