The Universal Currency for Motivation, Excitement, and Reward
How dopamine leads to action, and at times, addiction
Two evenly matched teams are engaged in an epic battle. The game is back and forth — as soon as one team scores, the other quickly counters. This deadlocked, even game seems to go on forever, into multiple overtimes.
Suddenly, the tide turns.
One team makes a spectacular play, their players are more excited, momentum shifts in their favor, and they begin racking up positive plays. The other team slowly comes apart — uninspired, compounding mistakes.
Players on both teams have been physically exhausted for some time. So how did one team suddenly ‘find’ more energy, while the other simply deflated? The excitement, optimism, and energy of the team with positive momentum has everything to do with a feeling that they’re on the right path, on the road to victory. Whereas the other team felt they were trending in the wrong direction, and the game was already over.
On a molecular level, something is happening to greater effect for the winning players, or anyone who feels they’re on the right path, and trending towards a desired outcome. Their brains are releasing dopamine, increasing effort, pushing them even further, and closer to victory. More excitement…
