The connection between curiosity and impulsivity.
…and the idea of “curiosity snacks.” … The built-in urge to know
Curiosity and impulsivity might seem like opposites. One is celebrated as a driver of knowledge and innovation; the other is blamed for distraction and poor decisions.
But neuroscience tells a different story: these two forces are deeply connected. Studies show that curiosity and impulsivity share common neural mechanisms, particularly in the brain’s reward system.
When we feel an urge to know something, the same circuits that respond to food, money, and other rewards light up. This is why curiosity can feel irresistible: we’re wired to seek information just as we seek pleasure.”