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Motivation

All articles tagged with #motivation

Orexin Neurons Tie Reward Expectation to Motivated Action in Rats
science1 day ago

Orexin Neurons Tie Reward Expectation to Motivated Action in Rats

A Nagoya University–led study publishing in PNAS shows orexin-producing neurons in the hypothalamus regulate moment‑to‑moment food‑reward motivation in rats: activating these neurons makes animals work harder for food, while inhibiting them reduces motivation, suggesting orexin links reward prediction to sustained action and may inform understanding of human motivation and related disorders, though translation to humans remains to be clarified.

via ScienceAlert|
#hypothalamus#motivation#neuroscience
Orexin Neurons Keep Motivation Fueled, Rat Study Finds
science20 days ago

Orexin Neurons Keep Motivation Fueled, Rat Study Finds

Nagoya University researchers show orexin-producing neurons are needed to sustain motivated action: activating these neurons in rats increased how hard they worked for a reward, while silencing them reduced motivation; real-time orexin activity rose with anticipation and higher effort and stayed elevated when a reward was expected but not delivered. Increasing orexin activity beyond normal levels did not further boost motivation, suggesting orexin is necessary but not solely sufficient to enhance motivation. The study used orexin-Cre rats, chemogenetics, optogenetics, and fiber photometry, with potential implications for motivational deficits in depression, addiction, and ADHD.

via sciencedaily.com|
#motivation#neural-circuitry#neuroscience
Orexin Neurons Gate Sustained Motivation, Study Finds
science21 days ago

Orexin Neurons Gate Sustained Motivation, Study Finds

Nagoya University researchers show orexin neurons are a necessary gate for sustained, goal-directed effort: their activity scales with the required effort, suppression lowers motivation, and boosting activity beyond natural levels does not increase motivation. Using a novel orexin-Cre rat model, chemogenetics raised breakpoints on progressive-ratio tasks while fiber photometry showed anticipation-linked orexin activity that intensifies with effort; optogenetic inhibition reduced motivation, but excitation beyond baseline did not boost it. The findings illuminate how reward prediction drives action and suggest targets for motivational deficits in mental illness, with future work on the surrounding circuitry.

via Neuroscience News|
#motivation#neuroscience#optogenetics
Orexin Neurons Drive Sustained Motivation, Rat Study Finds
science22 days ago

Orexin Neurons Drive Sustained Motivation, Rat Study Finds

Nagoya University researchers found that orexin-producing neurons help sustain motivated behavior in rats. Activating these neurons increased effort for a food reward, while degeneration reduced motivation. Real-time activity rose during reward anticipation and scaled with the required effort; suppressing orexin activity lowered motivation, whereas boosting it beyond natural levels did not further enhance motivation. The study suggests orexin neurons are necessary for sustained motivation and may link reward expectation to effort, with implications for motivational deficits in mental illness.

via News-Medical|
#animal-model#motivation#neuroscience
Movement for Life: Why Staying Active in Old Age Is About Living the Life You Want
health1 month ago

Movement for Life: Why Staying Active in Old Age Is About Living the Life You Want

Long-term fitness in older adults often comes not from extraordinary grit or genetics but from integrating movement into the life people actually want to live. Self-determination theory suggests autonomous, personally meaningful activity lasts longer than guilt-driven routines, and habitual daily motions (walking, chores, dancing) keep people moving even when motivation wanes. An observational study links more daily movement, including light activity, with lower mortality, though causation isn’t proven. The takeaway: movement endures when it serves real-life goals and preferences rather than a separate exercise identity.

via Silicon Canals|
#aging#fitness#habits
Tiny bursts, big gains: the science of productivity snacking
psychology1 month ago

Tiny bursts, big gains: the science of productivity snacking

A writer recovering from mid-life burnout describes how breaking goals into bite-sized tasks—“productivity snacking”—helps overcome busy schedules and maintain progress. Grounded in research from exercise-snacking to spaced practice, tiny daily bursts can boost self-efficacy, reduce procrastination, and even enhance creativity and learning. The approach isn’t a replacement for longer sessions, but a practical way to fit meaningful progress into a busy day and make the process more engaging.

via The Guardian|
#habits#microbursts#motivation
B12 and Folate Levels Linked to Fatigue and Motivation in Healthy Adults
health2 months ago

B12 and Folate Levels Linked to Fatigue and Motivation in Healthy Adults

A study of nearly 600 healthy Japanese adults links low vitamin B12 and folate to higher homocysteine levels and fatigue in men, and to lower motivation in women, suggesting nutrition may influence fatigue even in healthy individuals; the findings, published in Nutrients, underscore the importance of maintaining adequate B12 and folate through a balanced diet.

via SciTechDaily|
#fatigue#folate#health
Timberwolves Use Nuggets’ ‘Chosen Us’ Moment as Fuel, Rally Past Denver to Face Spurs
sports3 months ago

Timberwolves Use Nuggets’ ‘Chosen Us’ Moment as Fuel, Rally Past Denver to Face Spurs

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 to win the first‑round series despite missing Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu. Coach Chris Finch said Minnesota used Denver’s decision to “choose us” as bulletin-board material, fueling their focus from preparation through the series. Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and others downplayed the idea that Denver sought out Minnesota as a matchup, with Cam Johnson joking that they were simply trying to win. The win advances Minnesota to the Western Conference semifinals to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

via Sports Illustrated|
#motivation#nba#nuggets
Meaningful Movement, Not Genetics, Keeps Older Adults Active and Independent
health3 months ago

Meaningful Movement, Not Genetics, Keeps Older Adults Active and Independent

New research suggests longevity in activity during the 60s and 70s comes less from genetics or strict routines and more from movement that people choose for personal, daily-life reasons. Self-directed motivation helps exercise stick, and regular activity is linked to better autonomy, functional ability, perceived health, and social connections—shifting the goal from appearances to maintaining independence and confidence in everyday tasks.

via Indian Defence Review|
#aging#exercise#health
Dopamine tastes sweeter when you earn it
health3 months ago

Dopamine tastes sweeter when you earn it

A CNN Health piece explains that dopamine fuels pleasure, reward and motivation, and that the brain responds more strongly to rewards when you have to work for them; constant dopamine hits from easy sources like social media, ultraprocessed foods, and binge TV can dull your baseline happiness and fuel addictive patterns. The science suggests paying off dopamine upfront through effortful activities—like exercise, learning a new skill, or meeting a friend in person—since these produce longer-lasting boosts and involve feel-good hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. Start with small goals and gradually increase effort to build a sustainable cycle of motivation and reward.

via CNN|
#dopamine#exercise#health
Ozempic Side Effect Sparks Talk of an 'Ozempic Personality' and Motivation Shifts
health4 months ago

Ozempic Side Effect Sparks Talk of an 'Ozempic Personality' and Motivation Shifts

Some Ozempic users report an “Ozempic Personality” marked by emotional flattening and reduced motivation for activities they once enjoyed (romance, exercise, music, socializing), a change researchers think may be linked to GLP-1 meds’ influence on dopamine. Dr. Drew frames this as a motivational shift rather than a true personality change and cautions that while there can be benefits, there are serious potential risks with Ozempic and similar drugs that require careful prescribing and monitoring.

via Yahoo|
#dopamine#glp-1#health
Verstappen’s Motivation in Doubt as Red Bull Hunts 2026-Car Fixes
sports4 months ago

Verstappen’s Motivation in Doubt as Red Bull Hunts 2026-Car Fixes

Max Verstappen signals waning motivation amid frustration with Red Bull’s 2026 F1 package and a driving experience he calls anti-driving, driven by machine-learning torque management. Red Bull says the focus is on closing the performance gap and improving the chassis/PU, with potential in-season upgrades via the ADUO framework and a break before Miami to push progress. The driver privately remains happy but questions whether the sport remains enjoyable, as the team works to rekindle his enthusiasm by delivering a faster car.

via Motorsport.com|
#2026-regulations#formula-1#motivation