The Science Behind Hyperproductivity: Why You Want that Summer Internship

Image Citation: [9]

Written by Elise Park ’28

Edited by Leopold Li ’28

Picture this: it’s a Saturday night. With the sinking realization that your math problem set is due at 11:59, you rush to the Scili. Around you, the scene is all too familiar. In one corner, a student desperately refreshes their inbox, hoping at least one of the hundreds of professors responded to their research inquiry. In another, a student is fine-tuning their summer internship applications, aggressively switching between tabs with company websites and LinkedIn. Across the table, a student is already deep into next month’s exam material.

As college students, we feel a pressing need to secure internships, engage in side projects, and pursue professional or academic opportunities at the expense of free time. But what drives this obsession with hyper-productivity?

According to theories in psychology, when we focus on a task that we consider “productive”—one that demands full engagement and low self-referential thinking—we enter what is called the flow state. Flow is characterized by deep immersion, typically measured through behavioral indicators such as task persistence and physiological markers like heart rate variability [1]. At a neural level, flow is associated with increased activity in dopaminergic and norepinephrine networks that enhance our mood and focus, while suppressing the default mode network, a brain system linked to self-referential thinking [2].

The primary neurological mechanism that drives the flow state is the dopaminergic reward system, which is activated when the nucleus accumbens—a subcortical brain region—receives dopaminergic input from the ventral tegmental area in the midbrain [3]. As a neurotransmitter associated with motivation and pleasure, dopamine reinforces the rewarding sensation of working towards long-term goals, enabling us to work for sustained periods without signs of physical discomfort or fatigue. The activation of the nucleus accumbens elicits feelings of pleasure, hope, and optimism that fuel us to prioritize goal-directed achievements over relaxation. Beyond dopamine, the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and acetylcholine that accompany flow further enhance our capacity for memory, alertness, and attention, contributing to the heightened cognitive efficiency character of flow [3].

Another neural mechanism that drives hyper-productivity is the brain’s mirror neuron system, a group of specialized visuomotor neurons that replicate observed behaviors. When we perform a certain task, the mirror neuron system activates the same brain regions as when we observe another individual performing the same task [4]. This explains why, when surrounded by students who are constantly studying or seeking pre-professional opportunities, we feel obliged to mirror their behavior. Compounded with the mesolimbic pathway, the neural pathway transporting dopamine, the mirror neuron system amplifies competitive tendencies [5].

The fear of falling behind is associated with the brain’s reward system and amygdala, the region of the brain responsible for processing emotions. When we perceive a threat of falling behind peers, the amygdala triggers a physiological stress response, releasing cortisol [6]. This induces feelings of stress and anxiety that motivate us to pursue the same opportunities as others. This heightened activity in the amygdala can overpower the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain responsible for planning and self-control, leading emotions to drive compulsive behavior over logical decision-making [7].

The drive for constant productivity is addictive and expanding, with recent research studies illuminating its adverse effects. A 2023 study published by the Harvard Graduate School of Education found that 56% of surveyed teenagers felt pressured to devise a “game plan” for their future, 53% experienced the need to achieve in exceptional ways, and one in four reported burnout [8]. In a culture that equates self-worth with professional or academic achievement, understanding the neural mechanisms that drive individuals to prioritize productivity over rest sheds light on the broader implications of burnout and societal expectations. By reframing success beyond external validation, we can mitigate the chronic stress associated with the fear of falling behind and choose a healthier, more sustainable approach to productivity.

References

1. Ottiger B, Van Wegen E, Keller K, Nef T, Nyffeler T, Kwakkel G, et al. Getting into a “Flow” state: a systematic review of flow experience in neurological diseases. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2021 Apr 20;18(1).

2. Linden D, Tops M, Bakker AB. Go with the flow: A neuroscientific view on being fully engaged. European Journal of Neuroscience. 2020 Nov 9;53(4).

3. Bromberg-Martin ES, Matsumoto M, Hikosaka O. Dopamine in motivational control: Rewarding, aversive, and alerting. Neuron. 2010 Dec 9;68(5):815–34.

4. Acharya S, Shukla S. Mirror neurons: Enigma of the metaphysical modular brain. Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine [Internet]. 2012;3(2):118. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3510904/.

5. Rajmohan V, Mohandas E. Mirror neuron system. Indian Journal of Psychiatry [Internet]. 2007;49(1):66. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2900004/.

6. Ressler KJ. Amygdala activity, fear, and anxiety: Modulation by stress. Biological Psychiatry [Internet]. 2010 Jun 15;67(12):1117–9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882379/.

7. Alexandra Kredlow M, Fenster RJ, Laurent ES, Ressler KJ, Phelps EA. Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD. Neuropsychopharmacology [Internet]. 2022 Jan 1;47(1):247–59. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-021-01155-7.

8. O’Donnell E. Teen “Grind” Culture and Mental Health | Harvard Magazine [Internet]. Harvard Magazine. 2025 [cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/03/harvard-grind-culture-teenagers-mental-health.

9. How Your Brain Chemicals Control Effective Team Collaboration At Work [Internet]. Forbes. 2025 [cited 2025 Mar 17]. Available from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2025/03/13/how-your-brain-chemicals-control-effective-team-collaboration-at-work/.