Reward Loop

Reward loop, also called compulsion loop or core loop, is a habitual chain of activities giving us a neurochemical reward — release of dopamine in the brain to motivate repeat behavior. It’s a three-part, self-perpetuating loop: cue (triggers behavior), routine (we perform an action), and reward (positive reinforcement motivates us to repeat the action). Repeated positive reinforcement strengthens cue-to-routine connections and makes behavior seem automatic (constantly checking social media). In drug addiction, certain substances over-activate the reward loop, leading to compulsive substance-seeking behavior resulting from synaptic plasticity in the circuit. Also see Reward Anticipation