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The world is obsessed with unlocking productivity through mindfulness and calm. Executives and leaders are always looking for ways to boost output and come up with that next “big idea.” What if the path to peak performance started with a faster heartbeat? When going for a walk, I connect with things like calming down through nature and getting away from the busyness of my screens. But a brisk walk also gets my blood flowing. It wakes up my brain, not through calm but through action. Find something that gets your heart racing, your blood pumping, and your brain spinning on overdrive. There’s a place for calming down from overwhelm and stress to help focus, but what if the real catalyst for actual creative thinking was activity, maybe even a full-on adrenaline rush? The Productivity Paradox: Chasing Good Ideas Through Dopamine I recently read a study in Psychological Research that reported that dopamine levels play a key role in creativity. Using eye-blink rate as a measure of dopamine activity, the researchers showed that when dopamine spikes just right, the brain becomes more fluid and inventive in its associations. People with elevated dopamine activity were more likely to generate original ideas, suggesting that dopamine acts as mental fuel, amplifying curiosity, motivation, and cognitive risk-taking. The takeaway? Creativity grows when we intentionally spark those dopamine surges. Putting that in practice means you might chase adrenaline through new challenges, music, movement, or other experiences that excite your brain. Instead of calming down to think better, sometimes the key to productive creativity is lighting up your dopamine system to connect ideas in bold, unexpected ways. MORE FOR YOU Adrenaline and Creativity Dopamine is a creativity machine. It helps your body think faster, clearer, and outside the box. There are ways to naturally boost dopamine production in the body. Eating foods like olive oil and oatmeal is one option. Exercise is another. But if you really want to get things rolling, I suggest going after an adrenaline boost. Adrenaline is a downstream product of dopamine in the body. The two are often triggered simultaneously through stress, excitement, and novelty. Adrenaline-rich experiences stimulate the brain’s dopamine pathways, sharpen attention, and help people, including executives, see solutions they’d otherwise miss. For instance, try getting out of your comfort zone. I’m afraid of heights, so anything that gets me to face that fear is a huge adrenaline rush. One unique experience I recently had was through a virtual concept called JUMP. It simulates BASE jumps in a hyper-detailed, virtual landscape. CEO and founder James Jensen said the purpose of this experience is more than just fun. He said, “The purpose of virtual reality is to discover our full potential and find our true self.” If you’re seeking a dopamine hit with a bit less risk, or perceived risk, there are still plenty of ways to add adrenaline to stoke your creative fire. Consider cold plunging, submerging your body in ice-cold water for brief periods. Taking an icy plunge has become a staple among biohackers and high-performing professionals seeking a mental edge. While some opt for an in-home cold plunge, spas like the Swthz are popping up across the country due to growing popularity. This practice isn't just about braving the chill; it's about triggering a powerful physiological response that sharpens focus and fuels creativity. According to Dr. Susanna Søeberg, a metabolic scientist featured in a recent Wired article, the body's reaction to cold immersion includes a significant increase in dopamine levels, up to 2.5 times baseline. That’s a powerful and effective way to stimulate the brain's reward system, fostering innovative thinking and problem-solving. Music is another great option. Neuropsychologist Daniel Levitin, PhD, spoke about the connection between certain forms of music and adrenaline, saying, “Fast stimulating music stimulates the production of adrenaline and other hormones that get your heart racing faster and your pulse increases and blood pressure increases and then soothing, relaxing music has the opposite effect.” Whether it’s something as wild as VR BASE jumping, as frigid as a cold plunge, or as personal as cranking up your favorite songs, look for ways to tap into those adrenaline hits and dopamine surges when you want to unleash your inner creativity. Using Adrenaline to Boost Creativity The next time you’re struggling to jumpstart your creativity or break through your writer’s block, try something a bit more radical than a meditation session or a brisk form of exercise. Look for a full-on adrenaline rush. Find something that gets your heart racing, your blood pumping, and your brain spinning on overdrive. If you connect that with creativity, it’ll take your thought processes to new levels you never thought possible. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
