the shopping brain
Consumerism in the U.S. has reached an all-time high. In 2017, we spent $240 billion on goods such as jewelry, watches, luggage, books, and phones-twice as much as in 2002, even though our population grew by only 13 percent during that time.
related articles:
“Here’s What Happens to Your Brain and Body if You Give Up Sugar for Lent” by Jordan Gaines Lewis The Conversation sciencealert.com - ‘In order for us to survive as a species, things like eating, having sex and nurturing others must be pleasurable to the brain so that these behaviours are reinforced and repeated.’
“Shopping, Dopamine, and Anticipation” by Susan Weinschenk Ph.D.; Psychology Today - ‘Excitement and anticipation. Robert Sapolsky is a neuroscientist who studies dopamine in the brain. He trained monkeys to know that when a light comes on that is a signal. The monkeys knew that if they pressed a button ten times, AFTER the signal (after the light comes on), then on the tenth button press, a food treat would appear.’