Dopamine

Flow state is not a productivity hack — it is a distinct neurological mode with measurable prerequisites. Here is the neuroscience of how programmers enter flow, why it is so hard to sustain, and a concrete protocol for triggering it reliably.

The neuroscience behind cold water immersion for developers — norepinephrine spikes, dopamine baseline elevation, BDNF upregulation, and a practical protocol for improving mental clarity, deep work focus, and recovery between coding sessions.