Hacking Your Brain’s “Reward System” to Change Habits
DrJud・2 minutes read
Our brains form habits to facilitate learning by freeing up space, with behaviors prioritized based on reward value linked to evolutionary needs. Breaking bad habits involves updating the reward value through awareness for sustainable behavior change.
Insights
- Habits are mechanisms that help our brains conserve energy for new learning by following a cycle of triggers, behaviors, and rewards.
- Our brain's prioritization of behaviors is rooted in evolutionary needs for high-calorie foods, but this extends to all aspects of life, influencing our preferences and habits beyond just food.
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Recent questions
How are habits formed?
Through reward-based learning involving triggers, behaviors, and rewards.
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Summary
00:00
"Rewards shape habits, drive behavior change"
- Habits are formed to free up brain capacity for new learning, with reward-based learning involving triggers, behaviors, and rewards.
- Our brains prioritize behaviors based on their reward value, stemming from our evolutionary need for calorie-rich foods like sugar and fat.
- Reward values are not limited to food but extend to people, places, and things, shaping our preferences and habits.
- Breaking bad habits requires updating the reward value associated with them through awareness, which can lead to sustainable behavior change.
