How dopamine is linked to motivation?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in motivation by reinforcing behaviors that are linked to pleasure or reward. When dopamine is released in response to a rewarding experience, it signals to the brain that this behavior is beneficial and should be repeated, thus increasing motivation to seek out similar rewards in the future. Dysfunctions in the dopamine system can lead to changes in motivation, such as in conditions like depression or addiction.