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VIDEO: What happens to your brain when you get a like on Instagram

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: The Instagram app logo is displayed on an iPhone on August 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Credit: Carl Court

Credit: Carl Court

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: The Instagram app logo is displayed on an iPhone on August 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
March 29, 2017

When it comes to Instagram, it’s all about the likes. But did you know that something unique happens when you receive a notification on social media? Here’s the breakdown.

»RELATED: The 5 most Instagrammed locations in Atlanta

Once someone gives your post a thumbs up, dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure, is released. It’s been compared to taking a drug.

Why is that? Because the feeling is addictive. The unpredictability of how many likes you may get with each new upload is exhilarating. It’s what keeps folks coming back for more.

Watch the Business Insider video below for the full explanation.

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