Increase Your Influence With the Science of Immersion
The Art of Manliness
The Role of Dopamine and Oxytocin in Immersive States
Immersive states are associated with the brain's binding of dopamine, which is an arousal chemical that induces the feeling of being present and increases risk-taking and reward response. Oxytocin, another neurochemical, provides emotional resonance and determines the emotional value of an experience. The combination of dopamine and oxytocin induces electrical activity in the brain, which can be measured to quantify the level of engagement. For example, Accenture uses this knowledge to break down their training into 20-minute segments, optimizing the impact of training by aligning with the brain's fatigue levels. Immersion and influence are closely linked, requiring intensive and short experiences to categorize information in the brain and potentially influence behavior.
