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Physiology of Motivation: A Comprehensive Exploration of the Biological Foundations of Human Drive
Paperback
Medical ReferenceGeneral Psychology
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jun 22 2026
Pages: 282
Weight: 0.76
Height: 0.70 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Physiology of Motivation: The Biology of Drive and Desire
What drives us to get out of bed, to pursue our goals, and to connect with others? Why do some people relentlessly chase success while others struggle to find the motivation to act? In Physiology of Motivation, Theo Imari takes you on a comprehensive journey through the biological machinery of human desire, from the molecular signals in your brain to the evolutionary forces that shape your behavior.
This book bridges the gap between abstract philosophy and concrete science, offering a clear, accessible, and rigorous exploration of the biological underpinnings of why we want what we want. It delves into the intricate interplay of neural circuits, neurotransmitters, and hormones that orchestrate our most fundamental drives-hunger, thirst, sleep, and sex-as well as our most complex ambitions, social bonds, and creative urges.
For students, researchers, clinicians, and the simply curious, Physiology of Motivation provides a unifying framework to understand the embodied mind. Learn how the brain acts as a prediction machine, how dopamine drives the craving for more, and how our neurobiology shapes everything from addiction and depression to achievement and altruism.
Inside you will discover:
The Neuroscience of Wanting: How the brain's reward pathways, including the Ventral Tegmental Area and Nucleus Accumbens, generate the drive to pursue goals.
The Neurochemistry of Life: The roles of key molecules like dopamine (the molecule of wanting), serotonin (the chemical of perseverance), and oxytocin (the hormone of social bonding).
The Biology of Basic Drives: A deep dive into the homeostatic systems that regulate hunger, thirst, sleep, and temperature, including the roles of ghrelin, leptin, and the brain's thirst center.
The Nature of Complex Motivations: How our physiology underpins curiosity, social connection, aggression, altruism, and the drive to achieve mastery.
When Motivation Fails: An analysis of the biological basis of addiction, depression, and anhedonia, along with the latest research on recovery and resilience.
The Lifespan of Motivation: How motivational systems develop, adapt, and decline from prenatal programming to old age.
Future Horizons: An exploration of the ethical and technological frontiers in neurotechnology, AI, and the pursuit of a unified theory of motivation.
Whether you are seeking to understand the root of your own ambitions, looking for insights into human behavior, or hoping to help others overcome motivational challenges, Physiology of Motivation is the definitive guide to the biological engine of human striving.
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