The most dopaminergically reinforcing moment is not the achievement or possession of what you wanted, but the surprise that something is better than expected; the anticipation of a positive event provides more dopamine than the event itself.

factualpending

Speaker

Sam Harris

Evidence Quote

our dopaminergic system gets driven not by Pleasure itself but by the expectation of pleasure

Source

Your Mind Has Been Lying to You - Sam Harris (4K)Chris Williamson
Created: 8/12/2026, 6:30:10 PM

My Notes

Loading notes...