The Dopamine - Impulse Buy link

cogno64 writes "Certain stimuli in the brain, such as the smell of freshly based cookies, lead to higher levels of dopamine that remain after the stimulus is removed, leading to altered behavior through interaction with learning, memory, and executive function. The experiencer is more likely to make a purchase decision based on their heightened dopamine levels, with significant impact for internet marketers. According to research presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting today, the neurotransmitter dopamine continues to be released for nearly an hour after neurons are stimulated, suggesting the existence of secondary mechanisms that allow for sustained availability of dopamine in different regions of the brain including areas critical for memory consolidation, drug induced plasticity and maintaining active networks during working memory. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with learning and memory, motor control, reward perception and executive functions such as working memory, behavioral flexibility and decision making. When a novel or salient stimulus occurs, the dopamine neurons in the brain increase their firing rate, boosting the release of dopamine. The dopamine is diffused into the extracellular space of the brain until it can be transported or metabolized."

Re:Be aware of subversive marketing

[tuffy]

Someone should let car dealers know that "new car smell" is terrible and that it makes me nauseous.

The "new car smell" is simply a side effect of all the plastics involved in its construction airing out. It doesn't really come in a can.

Re:Freshly Based Cookies

[Reziac]

An AC says, "What? You mean you've never freebased freshly baked chocolate chip cookies?"

Certainly I have! Easiest method is to just eat all the dough without bothering to bake it. :)

Re:Ummmm you have lots of choices

[plcurechax]

Finally, a more reliable way to increase your seratonin levels is through eating right and daily exercise.''

In healthy, unstressed people.

Be careful how this statement is read, there is no evidence that depression is brought on by a poor diet or lack of exercise, and I don't know if an occurance of depression is considered less likely through diet and exercise (it is not 100% preventable by diet and exercise alone).