We didn't think visual attention mattered either. Until we discovered it is the key to achieving our goals.
Read our ResearchThe science of attention is strongly linked to four neurotransmitters [1]:
1. Acetylcholine (Awareness)
2. Norepinephrine (Alertness, also known as Noradrenaline)
3. Dopamine (Motivation and Reward)
4. GABA (Sensory Control)
Among these, acetylcholine acts like a spotlight, tuning our mental and visual focus toward what matters [2].
When you set a goal, like reading this, your brain is designed to filter out irrelevant details and align your attention with what’s essential. This alignment of mental and visual focus is what we experience as true concentration and drives top-down and bottom-up attention [1].
Today, our environments often hinder rather than support these essential brain functions. Switching contexts, busy spaces, and endless distractions mean our attention is constantly pulled in every direction. Our ability to control what we focus on and how we respond to distractions affects our well-being and quality of life [3]. Dr. Cal Newport explains it well:
"Your visual world constrains the narrowness or broadness of your cognitive map."
In other words, if your environment (bottom-up attention) doesn’t support focus, neither does your mind (top-down attention).
Pupil size reflects cognitive effort, linking dilation to increased attentional control. For instance, acetylcholine and norepinephrine is known to affect pupil dilation [4], with both neurotransmitters responding to heightened focus demands, helping filter out irrelevant distractions [5].
Pupil dilation is also linked to emphasis on peripheral vision depending on whether we require broad (more peripheral vision) or narrow (less peripheral vision) attention [6]. Our ongoing research suggests that inducing pupil dilation through peripheral vision dimming (de-emphasis) can mimic the brain’s natural filtration system, enhancing goal-driven focus and performance on demanding tasks.
When faced with frequent interruptions or engaging in complex multitasking, you may fall into continuous partial attention. This state disrupts “flow” and deep learning, diminishing accuracy and effectiveness on cognitively demanding tasks [7]. In contrast, sustained attention improves performance on tasks requiring prolonged focus [8].
We can use regular external cues to continuously reinforce our attention [9]. Our research suggests that dimming peripheral vision can act as a continuous external cue and over time, as this dimming effect cues your mind to refocus, it trains your brain to stay engaged and motivated, helping you maintain deeper focus for longer periods.
Our attention is naturally drawn to rewards, with dopamine playing a central role [10]. This is why we’re often captivated by our devices, which use cues like notifications and red bubbles to exploit the brain’s reward-seeking mechanism. Apps create an addictive loop of cue, craving, and reward, hijacking attention for entertainment or continuous scrolling.
Oasis reverses this by leveraging habit loop theory [11] to train attention with intention:
Cue: Peripheral vision dimming prompts you to start and focus on a task.
Routine: Specifying and completing the task within a set/unset timeframe.
Harmony: The satisfaction of finishing the task.
This “Use With Intent” routine, combined with peripheral dimming, redirects attention toward meaningful goals. The alignment of a goal and visual attention is speculated to increase our levels of GABA, which controls sensory input [1].
Summary:
1. Narrowing field of view increases Acetylcholine allowing us to selectively focus on a target.
2. Dilation of pupils increases awareness which is driven by Norepinephrine.
3. Goal-setting through habit loop theory can help us complete tasks that stimulate dopamine.
4. The alignment of goal and environment allows for sensory control influenced by GABA.
Hence, Oasis leverages the science of visual attention to help you reclaim focus and intention. By gently dimming peripheral vision, Oasis activates your brain’s natural filtration system, aligning your attention with your goals. This dimming effect serves as a powerful cue, prompting sustained focus, reducing mental clutter, and reinforcing intentional use. With Oasis, you can achieve deeper focus for both daily tasks and long-term ambitions.
Joel Olympio, Founder, PhD Student, UCD
[1] Lockhofen, D.E.L. & Mulert, C., 2021. Neurochemistry of Visual Attention. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, p.643597. Available at: Link 1
[2] The Role of Acetylcholine in Attention: Klinkenberg, I., Sambeth, A. & Blokland, A., 2011. Acetylcholine and attention. Behavioural Brain Research, 221(2), pp.430-442. Available at: Link 2
[3] Dubey, A., Markowitz, D.A. & Pesaran, B., 2023. Top-down control of exogenous attentional selection is mediated by beta coherence in prefrontal cortex. Neuron. Available at: Link 3
[4] Costa-López, B., Ferrer-Cascales, R., Ruiz-Robledillo, N., Albaladejo-Blázquez, N. & Baryła-Matejczuk, M., 2021. Relationship between Sensory Processing and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(17), p.3961. Available at: Link 4
[5]Naber, M., Hommel, B. & Colzato, L.S., 2015. Improved human visuomotor performance and pupil constriction after choline supplementation in a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Scientific Reports, 5, p.13188. Available at: Link 5
[6] Attention, Pupil Size and Norepinephrine: Gabay, S., Pertzov, Y. & Henik, A., 2011. Orienting of attention, pupil size, and the norepinephrine system. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 73(1), pp.123-129. Available at: Link 6.
[7] Vilotijević, A. & Mathôt, S., 2023. Emphasis on peripheral vision is accompanied by pupil dilation. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 30, pp.1848-1856. Available at: Link 7.
[8] Continuous Partial Attention by Linda Stone:
Stone, L., 2009. Beyond Simple Multi-Tasking: Continuous Partial Attention. Linda Stone. Available at: Link 8.
[9] Shalev, L., Ben-Simon, A., Mevorach, C., Cohen, Y. & Tsal, Y., 2011. Conjunctive Continuous Performance Task (CCPT)—A pure measure of sustained attention. Neuropsychologia, 49(9), pp.2584-2591. Available at: Link 9.
[10] MacLean, K.A., Aichele, S.R., Bridwell, D.A., Mangun, G.R., Wojciulik, E. & Saron, C.D., 2009. Interactions between endogenous and exogenous attention during vigilance. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 71(5), pp.1042-1058. Available at: Link 10.
[11] Anderson, B.A., Laurent, P.A. & Yantis, S., 2014. Value-driven attentional capture. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(8), pp.3276-3281. Available at: Link 11.
[12] Chen, W., Chan, T.W., Wong, L.H., Looi, C.K., Liao, C.C.Y., Cheng, H.N.H., Wong, S.L., Mason, J., So, H.J., Murthy, S. & Gu, X., 2020. IDC theory: habit and the habit loop. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 15(1), p.10. Available at: Link 12.
