If you dissociate the mind from the reward circuitry, it enters a state of equanimity. The structure and direction of human minds is almost entirely shaped by an architecture to that dispenses reward signals.
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Joscha, I was just thinking that the anticipation itself could trigger the brain's chemical reward system. In that case we would still be straight up reward driven. Not sure if this conversation matters, but there you have it.
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Replying to @jmeds2000 @MNWH
I think that you have it backwards. Reward itself is like an orgasm. It does not make you want to do anything. But the anticipation does.
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I see. Isn't the anticipation the result of a flush of some transmitter running through a path similar to that which is trafficked by the reward process as well? How much overlap, say, is there between simulating pleasure and acting it out? Thanks for your time.
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The anticipated-reward path connects triggers and urges with behavior. The reward pathway is a different one, and it reinforces the anticipated-reward path.
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