Encore - Loretta Breuning - Retrain Your Brain to Boost the Happy Chemicals

Reward Systems

Loretta Breuning explores how reward systems shape behavior, drawing parallels between animal training and human behavioral change. She explains that the brain learns from rewards, a concept evident in clicker training for dogs, where small rewards encourage desired actions 1. This principle applies to humans, who must self-reward to foster positive habits. Breuning emphasizes self-acceptance as a crucial step in this process, acknowledging that our brains are wired from early experiences 2.

Our happy chemicals reward us for survival behaviors rather than the romantic notions we have about what should make us happy.

--- Loretta Breuning

Understanding this can help individuals make incremental improvements in their lives.

   

Obstacles to Change

Breuning addresses the common obstacles to changing behaviors, highlighting the role of competition and societal pressures. She argues that life is less competitive today than in the past, yet our brains focus intensely on minor advantages due to basic needs being met 3. This focus can hinder personal growth, but awareness and self-acceptance can help overcome these barriers.

We have two brains because we need both, and we can train them to work together.

--- Loretta Breuning

By finding healthy ways to satisfy our inner mammal, we can shift away from autopilot behavior and embrace positive change.