Lesson 8 of 13 · about 4 minutes

Emotion and reward

Fear, drive and the value of things.

In the 3D app, the brain flies to each part as you read, and 2 quick questions at the end help it stick. Here is the whole lesson to read.

1
The alarm
The almond-shaped amygdala spots danger and gives memories their emotional punch.
More about the amygdala →
2
The body's control room
The hypothalamus turns emotion into body changes: a racing heart, sweat and stress hormones.
More about the hypothalamus →
3
The dopamine source
In the midbrain, the ventral tegmental area sends out dopamine when something turns out better than expected.
More about the ventral tegmental area →
4
Wanting
The nucleus accumbens turns that dopamine into wanting and motivation. Addictive drugs hijack this system.
More about the nucleus accumbens →
5
Weighing the value
Above the eyes, the orbitofrontal cortex judges how much things are worth and helps you change course when they no longer are.
More about the orbitofrontal cortex →

Now see it for yourself

Take this lesson in 3D: turn the brain around, look inside, and finish with 2 quick questions.