norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter and hormone that is important for attentiveness, emotions, sleeping, dreaming, and learning. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure.
High-contrast and attention-grabbing elements can enhance alertness and focus, benefiting learning environments.
Designing for short, focused interactions can help maintain optimal norepinephrine levels for concentration.
Creating a sense of urgency or excitement, such as time-limited offers in e-commerce, can stimulate norepinephrine to boost user action.
Productivity tools like Forest app encourage focused work sessions by minimizing digital distractions.
Ask Yourself
How can designs that require alertness and concentration be optimized to benefit from norepinephrine's effects on focus?
What are the challenges of designing for optimal norepinephrine stimulation without causing user anxiety or stress?
What are the ethical considerations when designing for increased norepinephrine levels, especially in educational and work-related apps?
Related Principles
endorphin
Natural painkillers produced by the brain that also contribute to feelings of pleasure, euphoria, and satisfaction.
acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter that plays an important role in arousal, attention, memory, and motivation.
melatonin
A hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, often called the "sleep hormone," as it helps control the body's circadian rhythms.