Have you ever felt a twinge of happiness whenever you see your latest post getting more likes? NYU professor, Adam Alter, author of “Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked” explains what happens to your brain when someone likes your post on any social media platforms.

Below is the transcript of Adam’s video interview:

“When you get a like on social media, it’s like taking a sip of alcohol or smoking a cigarette, its like a poison. All of those experiences produce dopamine, a chemical that’s associated with pleasure.

When someone likes an Instagram post or any content that you share, it’s a little bit like taking a drug, it’s a very similar experience. The reason is due to it not being guaranteed that you’re going to get likes on your posts.

The unpredictability of that process that makes it so addictive.

One of the problems with Instagram is that everyone presents the very best versions of their lives. You can curate your Instagram, take a thousand shots on it if you want to before you share anything.”

However, we have to be cautious in remembering that we’re only seeing the very best aspects of another’s lives. This could lead to an inverse effect in making you feel good about yourself and sharing your real experiences.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-to-your-brain-like-instagram-dopamine-2017-3?IR=T

* Illustration by Joel Golby, author of ‘The 19 Types of Instagram Likes” *