"How I Hacked My Brain to Crave Coding Every Day"

Have you ever wondered if coding could be as addictive and fun as playing video games or scrolling through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook? We often waste hours on these activities, driven by an invisible force. But what if I told you there’s a way to make your brain crave coding just as much as it craves games or social media?

Why do we feel so addicted to these things? The answer lies in a chemical called dopamine, our brain's “wanting” hormone. Dopamine drives us to seek rewards and keeps us coming back for more. Whether it's winning a video game or getting likes on social media, these quick dopamine hits make these activities instantly rewarding.

But coding? At least in the beginning, it doesn’t work that way. The rewards in coding are often delayed. Learning a new programming language or working through a project takes time, which doesn’t give you the instant dopamine boost.

So, how do you trick your brain into releasing dopamine while coding, making it as rewarding as gaming? Let me share the methods that worked for me.

1. The Streak Hack

Think of it like a “streak” in gaming. Platforms like LeetCode or GitHub show green dots or streaks to represent your daily activity. I set a goal to build the longest streak possible—it became a fun challenge to keep it alive. Seeing your streak grow is immensely satisfying and keeps you committed to coding every day.

If your platform doesn’t have a streak tracker, you can create one yourself. Mark days on a physical calendar or use a habit-tracking app. Each checkmark releases a small dopamine hit, motivating you to maintain the streak.

2. Reward Yourself Like a Game

In video games, you pass one level to reach another. Coding can be similar. After solving one problem or completing a small project, reward yourself with something enjoyable. Break your learning process into levels.

For beginners, start with easy tasks—don’t jump straight into tough algorithms or complex projects (a mistake I made). Build confidence with simple programs or beginner-friendly projects, then gradually tackle more challenging ones. These incremental wins keep you motivated and craving more.

3. Make Coding Fun

Games are fun because they’re immersive and engaging. Coding can be the same. I found that working on projects I genuinely cared about made me lose track of time. When coding became more than a skill—when it turned into a passion—it felt effortless.

How can you make coding enjoyable?

• Choose projects that excite you. These don’t have to be portfolio-worthy or career-focused. Pick something purely for fun, like a small game, a tool for personal use, or an artistic project.

• Focus on the process, not the outcome. Don’t worry about what the finished project will look like—just enjoy the act of creating.

4. Track Your Progress

I use Notion to write down my tasks, whether it’s a project or problem-solving. For tracking my coding time, I installed the WakaTime extension in VS Code. Seeing how much time I’ve spent coding and breaking my own records is a dopamine rush on its own.

5. Embrace Novelty

Our brains love new experiences. Keep things fresh by:

• Learning a new tool or technology.

• Reading books or articles about tech trends.

• Exploring what industry experts are doing locally and globally.

• Writing your own articles or blogs to share knowledge.

The key is to keep challenging yourself with something new and exciting, so your brain stays engaged.