Neuroscientists decode procrastination: the brain mechanism that explains why people leave certain tasks for later

How to procrastinate arise? The reason you decide to postpone household chores is Spend your time browsing social media It can be explained through the works of A brain Circle. Recent research has identified a neural connection responsible for delaying the initiation of activities associated with unpleasant experiences, even when these activities provide a clear reward.

The study, led by Ken-ichi Amemori, a neuroscientist at Kyoto University, aims to analyze brain mechanisms that reduce motivation to work when a task involves stress, punishment or discomfort. To do this, the researchers designed an experiment with monkeys, a model widely used to understand decision-making and motivational processes in the brain.

The scientists worked with two macaques that were trained to perform various decision-making tasks. In the first phase of the experiment, after a period of water restriction, the animals were able to activate one of two levers that released different amounts of liquid; One option offered a smaller reward and the other offered a larger reward. This exercise allowed them to evaluate the extent to which reward value influenced the desire to perform an action.

At a later stage, the experimental design included an unpleasant component. The monkeys were given the choice of drinking a moderate amount of water without negative consequences or drinking a larger amount under the condition of receiving a direct blast of air to the face. Although the reward was greater for the second option, it involved an uncomfortable experience.

As the researchers expected, the macaques’ motivation to complete the task and reach the water decreased significantly when the aversive stimulus was presented. This behavior allowed them to identify a brain circuit that acts as a brake on motivation in the face of expected adverse situations. In particular, it was noted that the relationship between the ventral striatum and the ventral pallidum, two structures located in the basal ganglia of the brain, known for their role in regulating the pleasure, motivation and reward systems, was involved.

The neural analysis revealed that when the brain anticipates an unpleasant event or potential punishment, the ventral striatum is activated and sends an inhibitory signal to the ventral pallidum, which is normally responsible for driving the intention to perform an action. In other words, this communication reduces motivation to act when the task is associated with a negative experience.

The brain connection behind procrastination

To investigate the specific role of this association, as described in the published study In the journal Current BiologyThe researchers used a chemical genetic technique that, by administering a specialized drug, temporarily disrupted communication between the two brain regions. By doing so, the monkeys regained the motivation to initiate tasks, even in those tests that involved blowing air.

It is worth noting that the inhibitory material did not cause any change in experiments in which the reward was not accompanied by punishment. This result suggests that the EV-PV circuit does not regulate stimulation in a general way, but rather is specifically activated to suppress it when there is an expectation of discomfort. In this sense, indifference toward unpleasant tasks seems to develop gradually as communication between these two regions intensifies.

Beyond explaining why people tend to unconsciously resist uncomfortable chores or obligations, the findings have relevant implications for understanding disorders such as: depression or schizophreniaPatients often experience a significant loss of motivation to act.

However, Amemori emphasizes that this circuit performs an essential protective function. He said in comments published in the journal Nature: “Exhaustion at work is a very dangerous thing. This circuit protects us from exhaustion.” Therefore, he cautions that any attempt to externally modify this neural mechanism should be approached with caution, as more research is needed to avoid interfering with the brain’s natural protective processes.

This story originally appeared on WIRED in Spanish It was translated from Spanish.