Dopamine and Motivation: Insights from Andrew Huberman
Dopamine is frequently misunderstood as the "pleasure molecule," but in reality, it is the molecule of craving, motivation, and pursuit. As explained by Andrew Huberman , understanding our "Dopamine Baseline" is essential for avoiding burnout and maintaining long-term drive. When we over-stimulate our reward pathways through constant phone use, sugar, and quick wins, we inevitably experience a "pain-pleasure balance" shift that leaves us feeling depleted and unmotivated. Managing the Dopamine Wave Every spike in dopamine is followed by a proportional drop below the baseline. This is why the "high" of an achievement is often followed by a "post-success slump." To maintain high levels of motivation, the Huberman Lab suggests "intermittent reinforcement." This means not rewarding yourself every single time you hit a milestone. By keeping the brain guessing, you keep the dopamine system "hungry" and functional. Leverag...