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Leverage Dopamine to Overcome Procrastination & Optimize Effort

Huberman Lab

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The Problem of Dopamine Stacks and the Truth about Intrinsic Motivation

Stacking multiple dopamine-releasing behaviors and substances, such as caffeine and supplements, can initially enhance performance and enjoyment in activities like exercise and cognitive work. However, consistently using these dopamine stimulants can lead to a decrease in enthusiasm, creating a dependency and diminishing the intrinsic motivation for those activities. It is important to be cautious in stacking and layering too many dopamine-inducing behaviors and substances, as this can disrupt the natural pleasure and motivation derived from intrinsically joyful activities. Intrinsic motivation, which does not rely on external stimuli, is considered the holy grail of human endeavors, as it allows for persistent effort and goal attainment. Tapping into intrinsic motivation without the need for additional tools or stimuli is key to long-term fulfillment and success.

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