Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

dopamine is more about anticipation of reward than about reward itself.

dopamine is more about anticipation of reward than about reward itself.

What was an unexpected pleasure yesterday is what we feel entitled to today, and what won’t be enough tomorrow.

This is our world of habituation, where nothing is ever as good as that first time.

What neurological disease is involved? None. This is a typical teenager.

vmPFC and dlPFC perpetually battle for domination by emotion versus cognition

vmPFC and dlPFC perpetually battle for domination by emotion versus cognition.

Human and fly neurons are remarkably similar;

frontal cortex makes you do the harder thing when it’s the right thing to do.

a world in which no amygdaloid neuron need be afraid and instead can sit under its vine and fig tree, the world is very likely to be a more peaceful place.