Understanding and Controlling Your Motivational Circuitry

The nucleus accumbens generates motivation leading to desires that are difficult to control. To weaken its control, other brain circuits like the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, mu receptor and opioid system, and hippocampus can be utilized. Novelty increases motivation. Dopamine reserves are crucial for sustained effort, depleting them in the morning hinders motivation. Different brain parts control each other, e.g., the frontal lobes can restrain emotional circuitry. By focusing on the inputs to our motivational circuitry, we can learn to control it effectively.