A brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that plays a big role in motivation and reward. When you do something enjoyable or achieve a goal — like win a level in a game, get a “A” on a test, or even get a like on social media — your brain releases dopamine, which makes you feel good. This reward signal encourages you to repeat the behavior. In studying, you can harness a bit of dopamine magic by rewarding yourself for progress (think: “Once I finish this chapter, I’ll watch one episode of my show”) or by gamifying tasks so that learning itself feels more fun and satisfying.
Keywords: dopamine, motivation, reward chemical
