How Powerball Odds Impact Our Brains
By Jan Carabeo & Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Two dollars -- one dream.
This is now the biggest jackpot in U.S. history.
But the chances are winning are very slim, so when our brains are juggling a probable win, doctors say there's a real effect on your brain.
Experts say there's a part of our brain where fantasy is almost as good as reality.
Hormones are released when we think about what we could do with all that money.
"This is the first one ever over a billion so I figure you at least have to buy a couple of tickets, so somebody is going to win, might as well be me," said John Pinto.
Powerball excitement ramping up once again ahead of Wednesday night's drawing.
Retailers expecting long lines with hopefuls looking to strike it rich.
Most players have noble plans for all that money.
"I'm going pay my house off, buy my daughter a house for her and her kids, probably pay all my bills off, everything," said Mardy Tomlin-Corbin.
"I would get comfortable and then I would give to charity."
But with the jackpot still growing, their wildest dreams could become reality too.
"I think I might try to buy the Flyers, I think the Eagles might be a little too much," said Pinto.
"Buy the 76ers, and buy a big boat, maybe a plane to go see the games," said Tom Flora.
Experts say those who plan to play as a group should lay down some ground rules. Take a picture of your tickets before the drawing and choose a person or attorney to represent them should they win.
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But Rhoda Byck doesn't need all that -- the jackpot she says is just too much money.
"I'm not even looking for the Powerball, I'm looking for the million," she said.
"Can't buy happiness, but can rent it for a long time," said Flora.
And if no one wins tonight, the jackpot could balloon close to $2 billion.
