Studies have shown that dopamine floods the brain upon anticipation of pleasure, before we embark on any work. There is not much dopamine upon experiencing pleasure. The wanting is greater than the having. The dopamine system motivates us to begin work. If we cut off the dopamine response to anticipation, there is no work. What's more, if we introduce uncertainty, so that the work pays off only 50% of the time, dopamine levels will shoot up. Dopamine firing predicts rewards. <iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/axrywDP9Ii0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>