Dopamine’s anchoring brain makes the tasks boring

Fearing a task at the end of a long week? There may be a way to deceive your brain to see this chore as a reward.

“Dopamine Anchoring” is the last hacking of psychology that goes around social networks.

This technique consists in associating a desirable thing – such as music or snacks – with a less pleasant task or movement, so that “over time, your brain begins to want itself”, according to Joshua Stein, MD, a child psychiatrist and adolescent in Prairiecare in Minnesota.

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From the point of view of neuroscience, this strategy works through the path of brain dopamine.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with feelings of pleasure.

By twinning something pleasant several times with an activity, you can train your brain to associate pleasure in this behavior. (istock)

“When we expect a reward, dopamine levels increase before getting the reward”, which contributes to stimulating motivation, Stein told Fox News Digital.

By twinning something pleasant several times with an activity such as cleaning, writing or even exercise, it is possible to form the brain to release dopamine in advance, which combines pleasure with this behavior.

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“There is a strong scientific support for this, both behavioral psychology and neuroscience,” said Stein, noting that the pairing of stimuli and rewards can influence behavior, even potentially dependent.

This anchoring technique can also be useful for those who have conditions such as ADHD or depression, where the dopamine system can become unpleasant or deregulated.

“The more coherent the model, the stronger the association.”

Stein noted that some people may have trouble with a condition called Anhedonia, which means they have fun problems, start a task or keep their attention focused.

“By strategically anchoring stimuli pleasant to difficult tasks, individuals can mainly” deprive “the brain” to better tolerate, even appreciate these activities, according to the doctor.

“Overall, it’s about working with brain chemistry, not against.”

Demystify myths

According to Stein, one of the greatest myths surrounding dopamine is that it is just a “chemical of pleasure”.

“It would be more precise to say that dopamine is neurotransmitter motivation or anticipation,” he said.

A risk of anchoring dopamine is to become too dependent on it when performing tasks, an expert warned. (istock)

Potential last

Although the anchoring of dopamine can be a useful tool in some cases, experts say that it should not be invoked as the only treatment.

There may be drawbacks to rely on this technique as a self-assistance strategy. “Like any other psychological tool, the anchoring of dopamine must be used with conscience,” warned Stein.

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There is the risk that someone can rely on external rewards to do anything, which could undermine natural motivation over time.

“Like any other psychological tool, the anchoring of dopamine must be used with conscience.”

People should also avoid using unhealthy or too stimulating rewards such as anchors, such as eating sweet snacks after reaching a goal or used social media after finishing an assignment – behaviors that can lead to deregulation, poor concentration or professional exhaustion, said the expert.

Activities such as journalization or listening to audio books are only a few examples of awards to be used during the anchoring. (istock)

Stein suggests anchoring with things that are energizing but not addictive, and to build breaks where motivation can occur more naturally.

“Consider the anchoring of dopamine as a bridge, not like a crutch,” he advised.

Stein also underlined the false idea that people can infinitely stimulate dopamine. Although short -term increases are possible, too much artificial stimulation can mitigate the natural response over time.

Dopamine anchoring examples

“The best way to start practicing dopamine is to start small,” said Stein.

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The expert offered the examples below for those looking to try this technique.

• Combine a long journey with a favorite podcast or an audio book
• Plan a celebration with friends after finishing a big project
• Take advantage of a favorite healthy snack while working on a difficult task
• Bring a favorite coffee drink to a potentially difficult family visit
• Watch a football match while working at the gymnasium

The objective is to keep the awards simple and not addictive, so they do not bother the task, said the expert. (istock)

“If you do this in a coherent way, over time, your brain will start to associate this task with a feeling of ease, and perhaps even to pleasure,” said Stein.

The objective is to keep the awards simple and not addictive so that they do not bother the task, according to the expert.

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“Overall, sustainability is essential,” said Stein.

“You are not trying to deceive your brain – rather, you form it. And like any other form of training, the more the model is coherent, the stronger the association.”