Where does the Sensation of Motivation Come From?
Razi Berry Our motivation to put effort for achieving a goal is controlled by a reward system wired in the brain. However, many neuropathological conditions impair the reward system, diminishing the will to work. Recently, scientists in Japan experimentally manipulated the reward system network of monkeys and studied their behavior. They deciphered a few critical […]
Social Media is Just Like Any Other ‘Addiction’
Razi Berry Our use of social media, specifically our efforts to maximize “likes,” follows a pattern of “reward learning,” concludes a new study by an international team of scientists. Its findings, which appear in the journal Nature Communications, reveal parallels with the behavior of animals, such as rats, in seeking food rewards. “These results establish […]
5 Tips to Prevent Social Media Addiction (it Could be Damaging Our Brains)!
Razi Berry There is growing concern surrounding social media addiction, especially in children. This concern is reasonable, and more and more researchers are beginning to study the similarities between technological addiction and drug addiction. The variable-reward of ‘Likes’ The feeling that people get when they see a ton of likes on an Instagram or Facebook […]
Oxytocin and Dopamine: The Rewards of Sociability
Node Smith, ND “With so much hatred and anger in the world, what could possibly be more important than understanding the mechanisms in the brain that make us want to be friendly with other people?” Robert Malenka, MD, PhD This quote came from an interview with Robert Malenka, MD, PhD, professor and associate chair of psychiatry […]