Flow state
Absorbed focus on a challenge, driven by dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine.
Too little may be associated with
Boredom, lower engagement and satisfaction.
Too much may be associated with
Overwork or neglect of rest and relationships.
Informational only — not medical advice.
Neurotransmitters
Related
Books (7)
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life
Flow in Sports: The Keys to Optimal Experiences and Performances
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work
The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer
The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance
Podcasts
- Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais
Performance psychologist Michael Gervais on the psychology of high performance.
- Flow Research Collective Radio
Conversations on the neuroscience of flow and peak performance.
Research (5)
- Enhanced functional connectivity between the default mode network and executive control network during flow states may facilitate creativity and emotional regulation, and may improve health outcomes Barnett et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Physical exercise induces mental flow related to catecholamine levels in noncompetitive, but not competitive conditions in men Karsai et al. (2023) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- The Neuroscience of the Flow State: Involvement of the Locus Coeruleus Norepinephrine System van et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Effects of neuropeptide Y on the microvasculature of human skeletal muscle Zhang et al. (2020) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Isoflurane and halothane attenuate endothelium-dependent vasodilation in rat coronary microvessels Park et al. (1997) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
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