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Full Reward Rule

Meaning

The Full Reward Rule, in the context of behavioral endocrinology and motivation, posits that for a new, challenging health habit to become intrinsically self-sustaining, the subjective feeling of reward must fully compensate for the perceived effort and physiological discomfort involved. This rule is a guiding principle for designing lifestyle interventions that successfully integrate into a patient’s long-term routine, overcoming the initial friction of change. It emphasizes that the neurochemical release associated with the behavior, primarily dopamine, must be robust enough to reinforce the neural pathway. This principle is particularly salient when encouraging adherence to protocols that involve delayed gratification, such as fasting or intense exercise.