How To Increase Motivation Drive

At a Glance

• Understanding Dopamine and Reward - “Hopefully you now know far more about the dopamine system, reward, and motivation than you did at the beginning of this podcast.” Huberman emphasizes the importance of understanding how dopamine works in relation to motivation.

• The Other Side of Dopamine - “Hopefully you also understand the other side of dopamine and reward, which is pain and the balance of this pleasure-pain system” The host highlights that there’s more to dopamine than just pleasure, including pain and its importance in balance.

• Supplement-Based Tools - “Things like vitamin B6 and zinc as they relate to prolactin PEA, very interesting compound. Again, I’ve never tried it.” The host discusses various supplements that can be used to support motivation, but also acknowledges their unknown effects.

• Scheduling Dopamine - “adopting the intermittent reward schedule for yourself in order to ensure long-term engagement with pursuits that I hope are healthy pursuits and ones that serve you well.” The host advises listeners on how to structure their motivations using the concept of an intermittent reward schedule.

What to Do

• Schedule Dopamine Release - Reasoning for Advice: To ensure long-term engagement with healthy pursuits, adopt an intermittent reward schedule to stimulate dopamine release.

• Watch One, Do One, Teach One - Reasoning for Advice: Apply the principle of learning a new skill by watching someone do it, then doing it yourself, and finally teaching others to reinforce your understanding and help others learn.

What to Get

• Nicotine: Reference in context of creating certain effects

• Vitamin B6 - Amazon: Relation to prolactin and supplement-based tools

• Zinc - Amazon: Relation to prolactin and supplement-based tools

• PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) - Amazon: Very interesting compound, no personal experience mentioned

Summary

In this engaging podcast episode, the host delves into the world of neuroscience to discuss the dopamine system, reward, and motivation. Starting with the basics, he explains how dopamine plays a crucial role in our brain’s pleasure-pain system, driving us to seek rewards and avoid pain. He also introduces listeners to other important molecules like serotonin and endocannabinoids, which are often referred to as “here and now” molecules.

The host then explores various supplement-based tools that can influence motivation and emotions, including vitamin B6, zinc, PEA (phenylethylamine), El Dopa, McEunipurians, caffeine, nicotine, and Adderol. He also discusses how some effects of these substances can be created purely cognitively by manipulating our perception and expectations, citing a fascinating study where people were given caffeine but told it was Adderol.

A key takeaway from this episode is the importance of adopting an intermittent reward schedule to ensure long-term engagement with activities that are healthy and fulfilling. This strategy involves spacing out rewards to maintain motivation and interest in tasks. The host encourages listeners to apply this concept to their own lives, using it as a tool to boost motivation and productivity.

Throughout the conversation, the host emphasizes the significance of applying scientific knowledge to our daily lives. He invites listeners to “watch one, do one, teach one,” meaning to learn from experts, apply what they’ve learned in practice, and then share their experiences with others. This approach is a great way for us to stay curious, adapt new ideas, and grow as individuals.

Overall, this podcast episode offers valuable insights into the world of neuroscience and motivation. It encourages listeners to think critically about how they can apply scientific knowledge to improve their lives, making it an engaging and informative listen.