Success. Like champagne, it hits you on the head. The person who was at rock bottom yesterday feels like a master of the world today. Why does this happen? It seems that there should be joy and joy. But success is not just pleasant bonuses, but also a powerful neurochemical hit that changes a person. In this article, we will discuss how victory turns a modest person into a self-loving narcissist and how not to lose oneself at the top. Hormonal storm: a dopamine hit When you achieve success (winning a competition, a promotion, a major deal), the brain releases dopamine — a hormone of pleasure and reward. This is pleasant. But the problem is that dopamine causes addiction. The brain requires repetition. People start chasing new achievements not for the meaning, but for the next "dose". Moreover, success often goes hand in hand with an increase in testosterone (in men), which enhances confidence, sometimes to the point of overconfidence. Biochemistry temporarily turns off critical thinking. You start believing that you are unique, infallible, chosen. This is what we call "a dizzy head". The reverse Dunning-Kruger effect A well-known cognitive effect: incompetent people overestimate themselves, while professionals tend to undervalue. With success, the opposite occurs: a person who has reached one peak extrapolates this success to all other areas. "If I'm great in business, then I understand politics and parenting". This is a cognitive distortion called "false uniqueness". Success convinces you that you are exceptional, and your opinion on any issue is more important than others. You stop listening to advice, even if you are a novice in the subject. Social environment: the trap of flatterers Success attracts people who want to be around a "star". Sycophants, flatterers, those who need something from you. They rarely speak the truth. The circle of communication narrows to "advisors" who agree with everything. This creates an information bubble. You stop getting feedback. ... Read more