August 19, 2023
The Brain’s Bank Account: How Money Hijacks Your Mind
Research reveals your brain reacts to money similarly to drugs, triggering pleasure and potentially leading to risky decisions. fMRI scans show brain activity mirroring that of cocaine users when anticipating financial gain. Conversely, people often refuse free money, activating brain regions associated with pain and anxiety, driven by a sense of unfairness. Money can also provide pain relief, both physical and emotional, and even create feelings of strength and social acceptance. Finally, the “money illusion” demonstrates how the sheer size of numbers can trigger reward
