The Mega Millions Mind
By: NBC News
Updated: March 30, 2012
Most serious lotto players have heard the numbers.
The odds against winning a Mega Millions jackpot are close to one-in-176 million, and yet that hope of being the "one" is definitely present in the hearts and minds of players.
Take William Landrum, for example.
"This is the winning ticket here. Five-hundred million," said Landrum, clutching his ticket.
Hundreds of thousands of dreamers are snatching up lottery tickets this week, and they all indulge at least a little bit in the fantasy. A jackpot of $500 million is on the line, perhaps the biggest in history.
"I play the lottery because it's a dream," Landrum said. "It's a big dream that may come true someday. And if it comes true, wow, it's gonna be beautiful."
Dr. James Gottfurcht specializes in the psychology of money. He says humans are wired for hope. And the lottery gives them that and more.
"We secrete that adrenaline," Gottfurcht said. "We have neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins and also the serotonin. So that goes up and that makes us feel good biologically."
"I'd buy a big house," said lotto player Yvonne Mikalas. "A big car, everything big."
"I'm dreaming big time," said Vlady Stoyanova. "I'm gonna take off work, I'm gonna go on vacation."
Gottfurcht said some people are more vulnerable than others and may set themselves up for an emotional fall when they don't win. But for most players, it's good clean fun with a modest price tag that helps fund some good causes, like education.
"Even though they can enjoy the ride, they need to be prepared," Gottfurcht said. "It's not going to work out for almost all of them."
The odds against winning a Mega Millions jackpot are close to one-in-176 million, and yet that hope of being the "one" is definitely present in the hearts and minds of players.
Take William Landrum, for example.
"This is the winning ticket here. Five-hundred million," said Landrum, clutching his ticket.
Hundreds of thousands of dreamers are snatching up lottery tickets this week, and they all indulge at least a little bit in the fantasy. A jackpot of $500 million is on the line, perhaps the biggest in history.
"I play the lottery because it's a dream," Landrum said. "It's a big dream that may come true someday. And if it comes true, wow, it's gonna be beautiful."
Dr. James Gottfurcht specializes in the psychology of money. He says humans are wired for hope. And the lottery gives them that and more.
"We secrete that adrenaline," Gottfurcht said. "We have neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins and also the serotonin. So that goes up and that makes us feel good biologically."
"I'd buy a big house," said lotto player Yvonne Mikalas. "A big car, everything big."
"I'm dreaming big time," said Vlady Stoyanova. "I'm gonna take off work, I'm gonna go on vacation."
Gottfurcht said some people are more vulnerable than others and may set themselves up for an emotional fall when they don't win. But for most players, it's good clean fun with a modest price tag that helps fund some good causes, like education.
"Even though they can enjoy the ride, they need to be prepared," Gottfurcht said. "It's not going to work out for almost all of them."
