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addiction

This shows a man and a glass of whiskey.

·October 28, 2025·4 min read

Gene That Controls How Sensitive You Are to Alcohol Discovered

Researchers have discovered that a gene called CHRNA3 plays a key role in determining alcohol sensitivity, helping explain why some people tolerate alcohol better than others. When this gene was mutated, subjects were slower to avoid alcohol and consumed more of it, showing reduced sensitivity to its calming effects.

This shows a person running and a brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 21, 2025·5 min read

High-Intensity Exercise May Protect Against Cocaine Addiction

A new study shows that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more effective than moderate exercise at protecting adolescent lab animals from cocaine use. Animals exposed to HIIT developed a preference for non-drug environments and an aversion to cocaine, linked to increases in ΔFosB, a molecular switch involved in addiction.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 12, 2025·6 min read

Stress Relief Brain Circuit May Drive Alcohol Relapse

A new study highlights how the brain learns to keep alcohol addiction going, not for pleasure but to escape withdrawal stress.

This shows a featured brain and a cannabis leaf.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 26, 2025·4 min read

High-THC Cannabis Linked to Psychosis and Addiction

A systematic review of nearly 100 studies found that high-THC cannabis products are linked to negative mental health outcomes, particularly psychosis, schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorder. While some therapeutic research hinted at benefits for anxiety and depression, results were inconsistent and often showed potential harm.

This shows a brain surrounded by chains.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·August 22, 2025·5 min read

New Drug Aims to Block Pain Without Addiction Risks

Chronic pain affects millions, but opioid medications bring high risks of dependence and side effects. Researchers have now pinpointed specific neurons in the amygdala that make pain feel unpleasant, opening the door to drugs that ease suffering without shutting down normal sensation.

This shows a brain with a neutral network spreading from the PFC. A drink glass is behind the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 16, 2025·5 min read

Boosting Prefrontal Dopamine Shows Promise in Cutting Alcohol Use

A new study reveals that tolcapone, a dopamine-enhancing drug, strengthens brain circuits involved in self-control while reducing alcohol intake in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The drug boosts activity in the inferior frontal gyrus, part of the prefrontal cortex, which supports inhibitory control.

This shows two people surrounded by smoke at a crossroads, implying quitting smoking could help resolve other addiction issues.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 13, 2025·6 min read

Quitting Smoking May Boost Recovery From Other Addictions

A large-scale U.S. analysis found that adults recovering from alcohol or other drug addictions were significantly more likely to maintain long-term remission if they also quit smoking. Using data from over 2,600 participants in the ongoing PATH Study, researchers discovered that those who went from being current to former smokers had a 42% greater chance of sustaining recovery from their non-tobacco addictions.

This shows the outline of a head and neurons.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 23, 2025·4 min read

Emotional Pain Brain Circuit Drives Cocaine Relapse

A new study reveals that a brain circuit driving negative emotions during cocaine withdrawal plays a key role in relapse. Researchers found that this “anti-reward” network becomes hyperactive during abstinence, amplifying distress and pushing users back toward the drug.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 19, 2025·7 min read

Addictive Screen Use, Not Time, Tied to Teen Suicide Risk

A major new study reveals that teens who develop compulsive patterns of digital use are at higher risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and mental health issues. Unlike total screen time, it’s the addictive nature of use—such as distress when not online or using screens to escape—that most strongly predicts poor outcomes.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 3, 2025·7 min read

Ibudilast Fails to Beat Placebo in Alcoholism Trial, Except in Women

A recent clinical trial found that ibudilast, a drug once promising for alcohol use disorder, was no more effective than a placebo overall. While all participants reduced their drinking, women on ibudilast showed a greater drop in drinks per day, hinting at a gender-specific benefit.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·June 2, 2025·6 min read

How Cocaine Hijacks the Brain

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have engineered fruit flies that voluntarily consume cocaine, creating the first fly model for cocaine addiction. Typically, flies avoid the drug due to its bitter taste, but by disabling their bitter-sensing receptors, scientists encouraged addictive behavior within just 16 hours of exposure.

This shows kidneys on a scale of justice.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 16, 2025·5 min read

Public Favors Some Organ Recipients Over Others

Americans tend to judge organ transplant eligibility based on the cause of a person’s illness rather than their race or ethnicity. Survey participants consistently favored recipients whose conditions were seen as less self-inflicted—such as black lung disease from coal mining or genetic kidney failure—over those with alcohol use disorder or unvaccinated COVID-19 complications.

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addiction

Gene That Controls How Sensitive You Are to Alcohol Discovered

High-Intensity Exercise May Protect Against Cocaine Addiction

Stress Relief Brain Circuit May Drive Alcohol Relapse

High-THC Cannabis Linked to Psychosis and Addiction

New Drug Aims to Block Pain Without Addiction Risks

Boosting Prefrontal Dopamine Shows Promise in Cutting Alcohol Use

Quitting Smoking May Boost Recovery From Other Addictions

Emotional Pain Brain Circuit Drives Cocaine Relapse

Addictive Screen Use, Not Time, Tied to Teen Suicide Risk

Ibudilast Fails to Beat Placebo in Alcoholism Trial, Except in Women

How Cocaine Hijacks the Brain

Public Favors Some Organ Recipients Over Others

$2 Saliva Test Could Help Detect Depression and Schizophrenia

How Chemotherapy Triggers Nerve Damage, and How to Stop It

Epigenetic Switch to Turn Memories On and Off Created

How Neurons Feel Force: Uncovering the Physics of Touch

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