Neurochemicals are involved in putting habits in control of our decisions. These chemicals are called endocannabinoids, and they mix up our normal thought processes and derail our focus on our goals.
Endocannabinoids exist naturally in our brains. They interact with receptors in various physiological activities, such as memory, moods and emotions, appetite, and even our ability to feel pain.
Our orbitofrontal cortex is the section of our brains that sends goal-directed information, and we react to that information. When neurons increase in this cortex, we stay on track and achieve our goals. But when the neurons go down, so does our willpower, and we act from habit.
We do our best when we have a balance of positive habits and goal-oriented decisions. Naturally, choices based on our habits need to be constructive for this balance to be efficient and wholesome. But by changing our routine or the context of our thinking, we can outmaneuver the habit process and make conscious decisions.
