We all know what it feels like to be motivated—that sense of eager anticipation and potent drive that propels us into action. Feelings of contentment or euphoria often accompany our peak motivational states. But what is the underlying basis for this quintessential human experience? Research increasingly points to dopamine, a neuromodulator that plays a key role in motivation, reward, and getting you off the couch.

At its core, motivation arises when dopamine neurons fire in response to what feels like a personally rewarding experience (Schultz, 2015). The key emphasis here is on “personal” because rewards and the corresponding dopamine drivers for one individual may not be the same for another. As such, we elevate dopamine production in a variety of different ways. For some, engaging in a challenging task is sufficient enough. Others need more, like food, sex, exercise, and even winning a simple game to pull the dopamine trigger. All of these behaviors can elevate dopamine production depending on the individual. Artificial and physically addicting........

© Psychology Today