[Music] [Music] we have this very complicated relationship to curiosity which is kind of strange when you know how much of a primal trait this is for humans curiosity shares the exact same reward Pathways in brain as basic needs like water when we talk about our thirst for knowledge we really couldn't use a better phrase and there's actually genetic evidence that suggest that Curiosity this deep thirst for knowledge is essential for our survival to explore this researchers went all the way to Africa to live with the aial tribes in Northern Kenya they conducted genetic testing collected nutritional information as well as health measures and what they found was astounding men of the orial tribe who had one or two Al of the drd4 7R that's a mouthful Gene had a much higher BMI than the ones who didn't not only their genes were different but their behaviors were different they were exploring more they were always seeking new places to forage for food so you basically had men with a genetic mutation that were better fed than their counterpart in the exact same tribe this genetic mutation is known as the wonderlust gene it makes us more prone to explore the reason why has to do with dopamine this is the neurotransmitter that is associated with an anticipation for reward what researchers found is that people who have the wonderless gene have a lower sensitivity to dopamine in their brains they keep on seeking bigger Bolder more adventurous experiences just to get that little rush of dopamine people who have the wonderous Gene tend to like to explore new places or maybe you're the kind of person who likes to try a new restaurant every single time they're excited about new knowledge and they like to explore new relationships they always want to expand their knowledge through other people not only through books when we're curious it means that our brain keeps on forming new neuronal connections curious employees are more likely to come up with better solutions to problem and more Innovative approaches to their work the time to be curious is now thank you [Applause] [Music]