ABOUT THIS EPISODE
We’ve all heard it: dopamine is the “pleasure molecule.” Catchy, sure. But wrong. In this episode of The Cognitive Performer, Marco Rigazio unpacks the myths around dopamine and explores its real role in the brain. Far from being just about “feeling good,” dopamine is a regulator—shaping focus, working memory, and even intelligence. Along the way, you’ll discover what happens when dopamine falls out of balance (ADHD, addiction, burnout, anhedonia) and why motivation isn’t just about willpower, but about your brain’s state of readiness.
Copyright 2026 Marco Rigazio
- Molecular Imaging of Central Dopamine in Obesity: A Qualitative Review across Substrates and Radiotracers - PMC
- Age-dependent effects of protein restriction on dopamine release - PMC
- The Potential Role of Dopamine Pathways in the Pathophysiology of Depression: Current Advances and Future Aspects - PubMed
- The tonic/phasic model of dopamine system regulation: its relevance for understanding how stimulant abuse can alter basal ganglia function - PubMed
- The tonic/phasic model of dopamine system regulation and its implications for understanding alcohol and psychostimulant craving - PubMed
- Dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability and working memory in stimulant use disorder
- Neurobiology of Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Review - PMC
- White-Matter Integrity and Working Memory: Links to Aging and Dopamine-Related Genes - PMC
- A multi-faceted role of dual-state dopamine signaling in working memory, attentional control, and intelligence - PMC
- Dopamine-related polymorphisms and Affective Working Memory in aging - PubMed
- Effects of Caffeine Consumption on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies - PMC
- Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a Narrative Review of Biological Mechanisms, Treatments, and Outcomes - PubMed
- Effects of physical exercise on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - PMC
- The Cognitive-Enhancing Outcomes of Caffeine and L-theanine: A Systematic Review - PMC
- The Effects of Drugs used for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Pregnancy Outcome and Breast-feeding: A Critical Review - PMC
- Dezocine modulates the reinstatement of conditioned place preference in morphine-dependent rats via the dopamine reward circuitry - PMC
- From Reward to Anhedonia-Dopamine Function in the Global Mental Health Context - PMC
- Reward, motivation and brain imaging in human healthy participants – A narrative review - PMC
- Dopamine synthesis and transport: current and novel therapeutics for Parkinsonisms
- Role of Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Regulating Dopaminergic Signaling
English
United States
TRANSCRIPT 🔗
Are you the producer of this podcast?
Add a podcast transcript
Need Audio-to-Text?
Transcribe with Listen411 in Just 60 Seconds
SEARCH PAST EPISODES
Search past episodes of The Cognitive Performer.
OTHER EPISODES IN THIS PODCAST
Your gut is talking — and your brain is listening. Discover how diet, microbiota, and even fasting reshape your brain chemistry, mood, and cognition in this deep dive into the gut-brain connection.
Your gut is talking to your brain — and your brain is listening. In this episode of The Cognitive Per…
Think you're stuck with an anxious, stressed brain? Think again. In this episode of The Cognitive Performer, Marco explores the neuroscience of fear extinction - your brain's natural ability to unlearn stress responses and build resilience instead. Discover why stress literally rewires your neural …
You know your year won't be smooth. So why plan like it will be?
In this episode, I break down my 2026 planning strategy - not rigid annual goals, but quarterly focus that adapts to reality. Drawing from competitive powerlifting training, I share why backward planning works, how to maintain agency …
Why do we stay in patterns that hurt us? Why do we return to familiar anger, destructive relationships, or self-defeating habits even when we logically know better? In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of why the brain mistakes familiarity for safety - and what it takes to actually change.
…
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Marco Rigazio, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.
EDIT
Thank you for helping to keep the podcast database up to date.
