RERUN: How Dopamine Works: Understanding Your Brain’s Most Important Chemical

In this rerun of the Changing Minds Podcast, we explore the remarkable power of dopamine—the brain’s motivation molecule. Far more than just a “feel-good” chemical, dopamine shapes our habits, fuels our ambitions, and even influences how we see ourselves and the world. In this episode, I break down the science of how dopamine drives desire, learning, and belief change, and why it plays such a central role in both short-term behaviors and long-term goals. You’ll also learn practical strategies to boost, balance, and make the most of your dopamine levels—so you can sharpen your focus, strengthen your motivation, and create lasting change. If you’ve ever wondered why dopamine gets so much attention in neuroscience, or how you can harness it to improve your life, this episode is for you.