To comprehend how humans are wired for rewards and gamification, we must first delve into the fascinating world of our brain’s reward system. The primary players in this system are dopamine, the brain’s “feel good” neurotransmitter, and the nucleus accumbens, a region of the brain associated with pleasure and
motivation.
When we encounter a rewarding stimulus, such as a tasty meal or a compliment, our brain releases dopamine. This chemical signal is
responsible for the feelings of pleasure, motivation, and reinforcement of certain behaviors. It acts as a biological carrot, encouraging us to repeat the actions that led to the reward. This is a survival mechanism, encouraging behaviors that are beneficial to the individual and the species.