We all know people with varying levels of motivation. Some go above and beyond in everything they do, while others can’t seem to muster the energy to try. We might label them as lazy—content to lounge on the sofa rather than pursue new projects. What explains these differences? Most of us would point to a combination of personality, life circumstances, upbringing, or personal values.
However, neuroscience research and studies of patients with brain disorders are challenging these ideas by uncovering the brain mechanisms that drive motivation. When these systems malfunction, even highly motivated individuals can become profoundly apathetic. Once curious, engaged, and productive in their work, social lives, and creative pursuits, they may suddenly seem like the opposite.
Take David, a young man I saw in my clinic. He had been a rising star at his company but suddenly lost all interest in his job and the people around him. Previously outgoing and proactive, he now did very little and appeared not to care. As he put it, he “just couldn’t be bothered.” Eventually, he was fired but showed no reaction—not even bothering to apply for unemployment benefits. When he couldn’t pay his rent, his friends offered him a room, which they soon regretted. David spent his days doing nothing, waiting for his friends to come home and cook for him. His doctor prescribed an antidepressant, but it had no effect.
David wasn’t depressed; in fact, he was quite content. Further investigation revealed that he had suffered two small strokes, one on each side of the brain, in an area called the basal ganglia. These structures are essential for motivated behavior. Research in both animals and humans shows that the basal ganglia link our desires and needs to our actions.
When the basal ganglia aren’t working properly, people fail to initiate actions on their own, though they can still perform them if prompted. David, for instance, could take out the trash or clean the house if asked, but left to himself, he did nothing. Studies of apathetic individuals suggest that many don’t find action rewarding enough—the effort required doesn’t seem worth the potential gain.
For some patients, medications that boost dopamine in the brain can restore motivation. Dopamine is key to the brain’s reward system. While it was once thought to be linked to pleasure, recent research shows it drives “wanting”—motivating people to pursue outcomes they find rewarding. David responded well to such treatment: his motivation returned after taking a drug that stimulates dopamine receptors. He was able to find a new job, regain his independence, and even start a relationship—things he wouldn’t have bothered with during his apathetic phase.
Insights from cases like David’s can also apply to healthy people experiencing apathy. At Oxford University, we scanned the brains of students with different motivation levels—from highly driven to severely apathetic. We found notable differences in their brain structure and function, which isn’t surprising given the natural variation in our biological systems, shaped by genetics and environment. Interestingly, though, the brain regions involved in motivation worked harder in the more apathetic students when they had to decide whether an action was worth the effort.
Making that decision seems to require more mental effort for apathetic individuals, leading them to avoid taking action.Why do some people avoid making decisions altogether? We know that almost everyone is willing to work for significant rewards. However, a common trait among apathetic individuals is that, unlike their motivated peers, they are reluctant to exert effort when the reward appears small. In our study, participants were asked to decide whether to perform a simple action—squeezing a hand-grip with varying levels of effort—in exchange for small monetary rewards, symbolized on-screen by apples. Some choices were straightforward: “one apple for maximum effort” (not worth it) or “15 apples for moderate effort” (definitely worth it). But there were also ambiguous offers, like “six apples for 80% effort.” Motivated people made quick decisions, while apathetic individuals hesitated much longer over these borderline cases. Their brains had to work harder to reach a conclusion, and since intense thinking is unpleasant, they tend to avoid it whenever possible.
Thus, weighing whether something is worth the effort seems more taxing for apathetic people, leading them to bypass the decision entirely. When faced with the choice to act, they are inclined to simply say “no.”
What does this mean for those considered lazy or for their friends and family who wish to see a change in attitude? Scolding or lecturing them—as if apathy were a moral failing—is unlikely to help. Instead, researchers are focusing on their reluctance to even consider the value of an activity.
One practical solution is to plan ahead for the day or week. Establishing a structured routine reduces the need to repeatedly evaluate whether each task is worthwhile. By making decisions in advance, you avoid being derailed by each one as it arises. Ideally, include activities that are personally meaningful and lead to a sense of accomplishment or enjoyment. This can reinforce their value, making the rewards seem greater and the decision to participate easier next time.
Additionally, studies show that physical activity can positively impact apathy. Engaging in aerobic exercise three times a week for 40-60 minutes, taking dance classes, or even brisk walking can boost motivation, possibly by affecting the brain’s dopamine system. External cues, such as smartphone alarms or visual reminders like placing running shoes by the door, can also prompt action.
The goal of these interventions is to work with the brain, leveraging insights into the roots of apathy—partly gained from studying unique cases like David’s. The key to changing everyday behavior is to make evaluating costs (effort) and benefits (rewards) a habit that doesn’t feel like hard work. Even for the most apathetic individuals, this offers hope in transforming an automatic “no” into the ability to consider saying “yes.” Masud Husain is a professor of neurology and cognitive neuroscience at the University of Oxford and author of “Our Brains, Our Selves” (Canongate).
Further reading:
– “Neuroscience of You: How Every Brain is Different and How to Understand Yours” by Chantel Prat (Dutton, £26.99)
– “Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst” by Robert Sapolsky (Vintage, £12.99)
– “The Dopamine Brain: Break Free from Bad Habits and Learn to Balance Pleasure With Purpose” by Anastasia Hronis (Vermilion, £16.99)
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about whether laziness is rooted in the brain
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Is laziness a real thing or is it in our heads
Laziness is often a label we use for a lack of action but its rarely that simple Its not just in your head as a character flaw its often a sign of whats happening in your brain and body
2 Whats actually happening in the brain when I feel lazy
Your brain is constantly making costbenefit calculations When a task feels too difficult boring or unrewarding the part of your brain that processes effort can signal that the cost is too high making you feel unmotivated or lazy
3 Can my brain chemistry make me lazy
Yes Low levels of certain brain chemicals especially dopamine can significantly impact motivation Dopamine is crucial for drive reward and taking action When its low even simple tasks can feel overwhelming
4 Is laziness just a bad habit
It can become a habit but it often starts with an underlying cause If your brain consistently finds that avoiding a task leads to immediate relief it can reinforce a habit of procrastination that looks like laziness
Advanced Underlying Cause Questions
5 Whats the difference between laziness and a lack of motivation from a brain perspective
From a brain perspective laziness is a judgment while a lack of motivation is a state A lack of motivation can be caused by tangible factors like inflammation hormonal imbalances or inefficient neural pathways whereas laziness implies a voluntary choice to do nothing
6 Can mental health conditions affect my brains motivation system
Absolutely Conditions like depression and anxiety directly alter brain function Depression can reduce activity in the prefrontal cortex and disrupt dopamine while anxiety can cause mental paralysis both of which are often mistaken for laziness
7 How does chronic stress or burnout relate to laziness
Chronic stress floods your brain with cortisol which can be toxic to brain cells over time especially in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex This impairs executive functions like initiative and focus leading to burnout which looks identical
