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Happy Thursday, my Friends!
⚡ Jackson Hole kept the tape jumpy today - random bursts of momentum across Nasdaq as Fed speakers leaned cautious, signaling no urgent case to cut rates.
🌪️ There were fragmented flows, fake-outs, and a perfect storm for trigger-happy entries.
📉 Mega-cap tech pressed lower off the NY open, telegraphing a clear weekly demand vacuum in this zone.
Here’s the real enemy: Dopamine. Uncertainty + occasional quick wins creates a casino-style reinforcement loop that spikes arousal and pushes you to click one more time.
That chemistry hijacks your process - shrinking your standards, widening your risk, and turning a solid plan into a string of impulsive trades.
We’re wired for action; markets weaponize that wiring. Let us go further!
Lessons from the Trenches
That post-win rush isn’t “alpha” - it’s dopamine - and if you don’t manage it, it will manage your risk.
Reward chemistry: The brain’s feel-good transmitter spikes on wins - and on the anticipation of wins.
Neurology: Activates the reward pathway, biasing you toward immediate gratification over long-term strategy.
Trading translation: After a profit (or near-miss), your brain whispers: “One more trade.” That’s chemistry - not edge.
The Trap:
Overtrading impulse: Post-win euphoria → wider risk, lower standards, extra clicks that bleed P&L via slippage/fees.
Chasing losses: “Just one more to get back to even” overrides your plan and compounds drawdowns.
FOMO noise: Volatile sessions + news/social feeds spike arousal → impulsive entries on hype, not setups.
The Why:
Behavioral finance & neuroeconomics: Speculative risk lights up reward centers in brain imaging - mirroring patterns seen in gambling.
Reality check: Consequences include fractured focus, elevated stress, bigger equity swings - and in extremes, burnout or blow-ups.
A Sobering Stat: Research frequently shows most day traders underperform; one 2019 NASAA report estimated ~80% lose money over time, with overtrading a key driver. Use that as urgency to harden your process.
Your edge is rule-driven execution under arousal. Master the chemistry, and you’ll trade the plan - not the impulse.
Alpha Futures Live
Accountability Update – Equity Curve (Last 2 Sessions)
Tracking steady progress over the past two trading days.
8 days to payout - risk controls remain non-negotiable.
Sizing will not increase until the buffer ≥ $10,000.
Equity update drops next week - stay tuned.
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Disclosure: Partner offers. Trading futures involves risk; only trade with capital you can afford to lose. This is not financial advice.
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P.S. Have a trading psychology tip? Reply to this newsletter I’d love to feature reader insights in future issues.
Until next time,
Steve B
Founder, The Daily Impulse
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