What happens to your brain when you win a prize?

Why winning online competitions does more for you than increasing your bank balance

Now, most people like a little flutter every now and then. Maybe it’s just putting a pound on a horse in the Grand National, or joining a work sweepstake. For some being in a lottery syndicate is as far as they want to go. But for some individuals, entering competitions online is how they earn a living.

But what does winning actually do for our psyche? Is there more to that feeling of winning cash than increased financial security? Research has shown that the psychology of winning revolves around a combination of effects on the brain. Especially when playing luck-based competitions like online prize draws.

Neurochemicals flood the brain

We all know that feeling of anticipation when entering a competition: hope plays a key role. The anticipation of playing, of watching the events take place, of winning – no matter the type of competition, or the prize. The possibility of winning triggers the same dopamine rush whatever. Whether you are playing in big stakes casino games, or entering a cash prize draw for pennies with Prize Paradise. The high you will feel is just the same. And sometimes the prize is the same too! Low risk online competitions often come with the same big value win as higher stakes games.

Of course, there’s always a risk with any contest that involves luck. However, minimising that risk by entering competitions with low entry fees definitely enhances the high you’ll get when you win! £20,000 prize from a 30p entry? There’s not much that feels better than that! So what happens in our brains when we do win? Well, the instant gratification we feel is due to the release in the brain of a host of neurochemicals:

1.  Dopamine has been present since we entered, driving that feeling of anticipation, and then pleasure when we win. It’s dopamine (aka: the reward molecule) that motivates us to feel that way again!
2. Then there’s serotonin bringing all the warmth and overall sense of positivity after winning cash online.
3. The third is oxytocin, sometimes called the ‘love hormone’, that only comes with trust, knowing the competition is legit. We’re the number one competition site on Trust Pilot, so we have that covered!

Positive vibes

This cocktail gives us what is known as the ‘winner effect’ for those lucky folk that win money or prizes online, or off. They don’t just experience the amazing rush of success with those feel good hormones. Also, the neurochemical changes can actually create new pathways in the brain making it easier to attain that feeling again. Think muscle memory that gives people the confidence that they can win after all! That sense of positivity can actually boost a person’s performance in lots of areas of life. We’ve all heard what they say about positive energy attracting positivity, and we’ve heard it from some repeat winners at Paradise HQ. They swear by positive thinking – but that’s a whole other story for another time. For now, relax and enjoy the buzz you feel when you win with Prize Paradise, there’s nothing quite like it.