Dopamine’s Yin-Yang Personality: It’s an Upper and a Downer
Researchers shed light on the dual nature of dopamine, as a neurotransmitter that makes us seek pleasure and also reinforces avoidance of pain.... Read More...
addiction
Online Gaming Addiction in Men Affects Brain’s Impulse Control
Researchers have identified neurobiological differences in between men and women who are addicted to online gaming. ... Read More...
Sugar Sweetened Drinks Are Harmful to Health and May Be Addictive
In addition to having implications for personal health, sugar sweetened drinks may have addictive properties, researchers report. The study found when abstaining from drinking sweetened drinks, people who consume them often experience increased headaches, decreased motivation and a lower ability to concentrate.... Read More...
How Exercise Could Help Fight Drug Addiction
A new mouse study reveals exercise may help curb drug addiction and buffer against relapse by altering the production of peptides in the brain.... Read More...
One in Ten Heavy Cannabis Users Experience Withdrawal After Quitting
Researchers report 1 in 10 people who are heavy cannabis users experience cannabis withdrawal syndrome upon quitting. ... Read More...
Effects of High Fat Diet May Be Passed on For Three Generations
Researchers report high fat diet in female mice can have an epigenetic effect on future generations. The study found high fat diets had lead to an increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance and addictive behaviors over three generations of offspring. ... Read More...
Gene Therapy Via Skin Protects Mice From Lethal Cocaine Doses
Using CRISPR gene editing techniques, researchers create modified skin grafts that rapidly degrade cocaine and reduce drug seeking behaviors in mouse models of addiction.... Read More...
Bile Acids Reduce Cocaine Reward
Using mouse models, researchers found bile diversion surgery reduced cocaine induced increases in dopamine release and cocaine related behaviors. Researchers believe bariatric surgery or the consumption of a synthetic bile drug may help curb cocaine addiction in humans.... Read More...
Researchers Develop Drugs with Potential to Curb Smoking
Researchers have developed more than a dozen new potential drug candidates they believe have the potential to curb smoking addiction by slowing how nicotine is broken down in the body.... Read More...
Key Brain Circuits for Reward Seeking and Avoidance Behavior Identified
Researchers have identified two subpopulations of neurons in the BNST that connect to separate populations of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus which appear to drive two opposing emotional states; avoidance and reward seeking... Read More...
‘Compulsivity Circuit’ in Heavy Drinkers Identified
Researchers identify a driving network for compulsivity in those with alcohol use disorders. The study reports heavy drinkers have more activity in the prefronal cortex, insular and striatum, areas of the brain critical for reward and decision making.... Read More...
The Real Promise of LSD, Mushrooms and MDMA for Medical Science
Researchers explore why using hallucinogens to treat an array of mental health disorders is becoming more popular.... Read More...