The Brain Likes Surprises

According to some newly published research in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience (light reading anyone?!) and as reported by ABCnews.com (more my speed), our brain's "pleasure centers are more "turned on" when we experience unpredictable pleasant things, compared to expected pleasant events."

"This means that the brain finds unexpected pleasure more rewarding that expected ones, and it may have little to do with what people say they like," said Dr. Gregory Berns, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Emory and Dr. Read Montague, associate professor of neuroscience at Baylor, the authors of the study. So, in effect, we may really prefer unpredictable experiences far more than the same-old-same-old experiences we have trained ourselves to endure.

Let's test this out: The next time you have a chance to do something new and different - even if it will make you stretch outside of your Comfort Zone - hey, BECAUSE it will make you stretch outside of your Comfort Zone - try it ... as an experiment. Approach it as if it's a surprise unfolding right before your very eyes and see if you can (and do) enjoy it more than you thought you would.

If so, great! And if not, well at least you did it!