THE TRADING TRANCE

Women tend to be better traders than men. Why? Trading brings out the stalker/hunter instinct in men. Over several million years as nomadic hunters, males evolved a neurological system that produced a trance-like state of pleasurable anticipation. This stalking state of mind relies on the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine to motivate hunters and helped them endure the arduous process.

Research shows that more dopamine is secreted by the brain in anticipation of reward than when the reward actually arrives. Since ancient hunters prized the Big Kill, because it would feed the tribe for a month or more, male traders also tend to fantasize about big wins, which also increases dopamine levels.  

Dope-a-Me
Dopamine is a powerful mind-altering compound, responsible for the high induced by cocaine. Consequently, it is also implicated in the addictive and entrancing aspects of trading (you might call it "dope-a-me"). Hunters did not have to be smart; they had to be persistent. A dopamine high provides powerful psychic energy, but also causes various negative attentional and behavioral consequences for traders.

When a trader is immersed in the trading trance, he becomes focused on the future, not on the present. He has a vivid picture in his mind of the immensely satisfying goal just ahead. This is a dangerous mindset because it makes it less likely that traders will recognize when the market is moving against their dream.

Entranced traders become less sensitive to the pain of loss in the here and now, which means they will tend to ignore risk and minimize the real-time negative consequences of their behavior. 

Dopamine energizes the mind, so it can also drive traders to overtrade, track too many targets, put in too much screen time, sleep less, stress out more.

ROLLERCOASTER TRADING
An excessive boosting of dopamine causes a cycle of dopamine depletion, so some traders alternate between periods of over-confident euphoria and temper tantrums. Consequently, trading becomes highly dramatized, as one may feel on the verge of greatness and at the same time at the brink ruin.

Male susceptibility to the Trading Trance is one of the least appreciated aspects of trading psychology. The good news is that men's tendency to enter the trance makes us workable hypnotic subjects, which can help repair some of the damage caused by the Trading Trance. See my program for details on Total Brain Conditioning^TM. Ultimately, however, one needs to trade in the more ordinary reality known as the Here & Now in order to make money.

BOTTOMLINE
For a sustainable career as a professional trader, it is vitally necessary to become disenchanted with the market and "de-tranced." You know you are there when you can be satisfied with hitting modest but consistent daily or weekly goals. My FREE Risk Profile is one way to evaluate your susceptibility to the trance.

My coaching program is focused on eliminating the trading trance and bringing your trading into alignment with reality. I have some unique methods for accomplishing this goal.

Email me to schedule a FREE 15-Min. CONSULTATION (doc2 at daytrading-doc.com) or click here to sign up now.  

If you take no other action today my friend, be sure you order my premier neuroprogramming MP3 ACCESSING THE WINNING TRADER'S MINDSET for just $99. Nothing is more important than becoming proactive about your mental-emotional state while trading. It could save you thousands!