Research has been carried out to explain the relationship between brain activity levels of those who seek action and those who avoid it. It has been found that brain activity in ECG scans show rises on high visual and acoustic stimuli in high sensation seekers and falls in low sensation seekers. Thus higher sensation seekers have a constant need for action. They are hence, also more prone to the use of drugs like cocaine, opiates and alcohol that boost the flow of dopamine in the brain circuitry, that gives them a high.

Boredom can also be the cause for going astray. Youngsters from wealthy families who have plenty of money and little or no responsibilities or ambition often resort to drugs, alcohol and even crime out of boredom. You must therefore ensure that your close ones energies are channelled in the right direction.


Compulsive shopping, excessive eating and extramarital affairs are also known to be caused by boredom.



Dr Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi a psychologist at the University of Chicago describes phenomena called ‘flow’. This is when a person’s skill and talent matches their activity there is a sense of fulfilment and release of dopamine, as an antidote to boredom