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Endocrine System Motivation

Meaning

The powerful, often subconscious, influence that circulating hormones and regulatory peptides exert on an individual’s drive, persistence, and direction of goal-directed behavior. Key hormonal signals from the gut, adipose tissue, and HPA axis—such as leptin, ghrelin, thyroid hormones, and sex steroids—modulate the sensitivity of central reward and cognitive circuits. This physiological control underscores that motivation is not purely volitional but is deeply rooted in systemic biological signaling and homeostatic needs.