The power of a compliment

Compliments are something that are given often, sometimes, a little too loosely. They are an expression of admiration and they are so overlooked when given. According to Fast Company “Every time you receive a genuine compliment, it triggers the same area in the brain as receiving cash.” 

Studies have proven that when you receive a compliment, it triggers your brain to produce more dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is known as the “feel-good” hormone, linked with positivity and happiness. 

Dopamine is made in the brain and acts as a chemical messenger. It’s communicating between nerve cells in the brain and the rest of the body. Dopamine is involved in many things in the human body. Including but not limited to movement, motivation, reward, sleep, mood, learning, and memory. 

The way someone gives a compliment matters too. Tone of voice, expression, and body language all affect how the person receiving the compliment responds. If the person receiving thinks that the compliment  is not genuine, it can trigger their brain to make them feel uncomfortable and skeptical. On the other hand, if the person takes it positively, the exchange might last a few seconds but the internal effect can last for hours to days depending on the person’s emotional state. 

All in all, a compliment can go a long way. While giving compliments can seem like they are insignificant they are more than just a little sentence without any thought. A compliment affects the brain and body. It is much deeper than what it seems.