"I love you. You're so great at what you do and I admire who you are."
Ugh, didn't that feel good?
That's dopamine. The reward hormone.
Dopamine is often labeled the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, but it’s more accurately your brain’s motivation messenger. It doesn’t just flood your system when you’re happy — it kicks in when you anticipate a reward. And that anticipation? That’s what fuels motivation.
Let’s dive into how dopamine works, why small wins matter more than you think, and how to harness this powerful neurochemical to boost your productivity and mental wellness — at work and in life.
🧠 What Is Dopamine, Really?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical messenger in your brain. It plays a key role in:
Le Science:
Neurons in the region at the base of the brain produce dopamine in a two-step process. First, the amino acid tyrosine is converted into another amino acid, called L-dopa. Then L-dopa undergoes another change, as enzymes turn it into dopamine.
Source: Harvard Medical School (2011)
Ugh, didn't that feel good?
That's dopamine. The reward hormone.
Dopamine is often labeled the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, but it’s more accurately your brain’s motivation messenger. It doesn’t just flood your system when you’re happy — it kicks in when you anticipate a reward. And that anticipation? That’s what fuels motivation.
Let’s dive into how dopamine works, why small wins matter more than you think, and how to harness this powerful neurochemical to boost your productivity and mental wellness — at work and in life.
🧠 What Is Dopamine, Really?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical messenger in your brain. It plays a key role in:
- Motivation and drive
- Goal-directed behavior
- Focus and attention
- Reinforcing rewarding experiences
Le Science:
Neurons in the region at the base of the brain produce dopamine in a two-step process. First, the amino acid tyrosine is converted into another amino acid, called L-dopa. Then L-dopa undergoes another change, as enzymes turn it into dopamine.
Source: Harvard Medical School (2011)