The Winning and Losing Effect

Have you ever noticed how winning a game makes you feel like an all-star, while losing can make you want to hide under a rock? That’s not just your emotions talking—your brain and body are reacting in powerful ways! Scientists have discovered something called the "Winner Effect" and the "Loser Effect" that helps explain why winning and losing have such a big impact on how we feel and perform.

The Winner Effect: Why Winning Feels So Good

When you win—whether it's a game, a race, or even a video game—your brain and body celebrate. Your brain releases chemicals that make you feel strong, brave, and ready to win again. Here’s what happens:

• Testosterone goes up. That’s a hormone that helps you feel confident and take smart risks.

• Cortisol (the stress hormone) goes down. This helps you stay calm under pressure.

• Dopamine (the “feel-good” chemical) kicks in. This makes you feel happy, motivated, and excited.

• Oxytocin (the “connection” hormone) rises. This helps you feel more connected to other people, like your teammates and coaches.

  
  

All of these changes make it easier to stay confident, try hard, and keep winning. Winning literally reinforces your body to perform better the next time.

🧠 Cool fact: In studies with monkeys, the effects of one win lasted for weeks. Winning isn’t just a good feeling—it builds momentum!

The Loser Effect: Why Losing Can Feel So Tough

Now, losing can be tough—and that’s totally normal. But losing also causes real changes in your body:

• Testosterone drops, so you might feel less confident.

• Cortisol goes up, which makes you feel more stressed or anxious.

• Dopamine drops, so it’s harder to feel motivated or excited.

This is the "Loser Effect," and it can make it hard to bounce back if you’re not careful. You might feel like giving up or not trying as hard the next time. But here’s the good news—losing doesn’t have to keep you down. Your brain can bounce back with the right mindset and support!

🧠 Cool fact: In one study, scientists helped “loser” mice become more confident by changing how their brain worked. That means with the right habits and mindset, you can bounce back too.

How You Can Use This as an Athlete

1. Celebrate Small Wins! Even little victories (like a good practice, a great swing, or a fast sprint) train your brain to win.  Make it a routine to notice small wins and tell someone.

2. Use Pre-Game Routines – Doing the same warm-up, positive self-talk, or focus drill before games helps your brain get in a “winning mode.”

3. Bounce Back Fast – When you lose, don’t dwell on it. Focusing on the loss increases the body's cortisol levels and increases the "loser effect." Instead, learn one thing from the loss, shake it off, and focus on the next small win.

4. Take Care of Your Mind and Body – Sleep, good food, positive people, and deep breaths help your brain stay ready to perform.

   
   

What Parents Can Do to Support Their Athletes

• Model Healthy Emotions – Teach them how to handle wins and loses by personally demonstrating appropriate responses.

• Praise the Effort, Not Just the Outcome – Say, “I loved how hard you worked,” even if they lost.

• Be Their Calm, Not Their Coach – After games, focus on love and encouragement. Let the coaches handle the sports part.

• Help Them See the Big Picture – Teach them that one game doesn’t define them. Every loss is a chance to learn and grow.

• Reinforce Good Habits – Support healthy sleep, nutrition, and screen time limits, which all help with hormone balance and resilience.

  
  

Winning and losing aren’t just about scores—they affect your brain, body, and behavior. The Winner Effect gives you a boost that makes future success easier, while the Loser Effect can bring you down if you let it.

But here’s the secret: You have the power to train your mindset—to become more confident, more focused, and more resilient no matter what the scoreboard says. So the next time you win, celebrate it. Let it lift you up! And the next time you lose, don’t let it define you—use it as a step toward your next victory.

Remember: Athletes aren’t just made by talent. They’re made by how they handle winning—and how they bounce back from losing.