FeaturedNeuroscience·June 3, 2025·7 min readIbudilast Fails to Beat Placebo in Alcoholism Trial, Except in WomenA 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.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·June 2, 2025·6 min readHow Cocaine Hijacks the BrainIn 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 16, 2025·5 min readPublic Favors Some Organ Recipients Over OthersAmericans 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 13, 2025·4 min readSocial Status Shapes Addiction Risk Through Dopamine CircuitryA new study reveals how social rank influences addiction vulnerability by altering dopamine pathways in the brain. Low-ranking male mice showed stronger reward signals and weaker control circuits, making them more prone to seek methamphetamine, while high-ranking mice had better balance and resistance.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 8, 2025·5 min readLegal Cannabis Linked to Less Problematic Use, Better Mental HealthThe Weed Care study in Switzerland is investigating how legal access to cannabis affects users' consumption and mental health. In the first randomized trial of its kind, participants buying cannabis legally showed a slight decline in problematic use, especially among those who also used other drugs.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 30, 2025·7 min readAddiction Accelerates Brain Aging via Distinct Molecular PathwaysSubstance use disorders (SUDs) accelerate biological aging in the brain through substance-specific molecular mechanisms. Using brain-specific epigenetic clocks, researchers found that alcohol, opioids, and stimulants each trigger unique patterns of neurodegeneration, particularly in the decision-making centers of the brain.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 29, 2025·6 min readKetamine’s Hidden Physical and Psychological DamageA new study highlights the severe physical and psychological consequences linked to ketamine addiction, with many users unaware of the risks until dependent. Researchers found high rates of bladder damage, painful organ cramps, low mood, and anxiety among those with ketamine use disorder.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 28, 2025·9 min readTiny Brain Structure Reveals New Paths to Treat Addiction, DepressionNew research spotlights the habenula, a tiny but powerful brain region, as a key player in addiction, motivation, and emotional regulation. Studies show that the habenula’s circuitry influences how the brain processes rewards, disappointment, and drug cravings, offering potential drug targets like the GPR151 receptor.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·December 30, 2024·8 min readEarly Substance Use Linked to Brain Structure Differences in TeensA study of nearly 10,000 adolescents found that those who initiated substance use before age 15 exhibited distinct differences in brain structures compared to their peers. Many of these differences were present before substance use, suggesting a role in predisposing factors like genetics and environment.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 10, 2024·6 min readBrain Markers Reveal Teens at Risk for Gaming AddictionNew research reveals brain activity patterns that may predict gaming addiction in teens. A study of adolescents aged 10-15 found reduced activity in brain regions linked to decision-making and reward processing in those developing gaming addiction symptoms over four years.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·December 3, 2024·5 min readAversion Shapes Addiction Risk in Early Drug UseNew research reveals that initial reactions to unpleasant drug experiences, like bitterness or discomfort, may predict susceptibility to addiction. In a rat study, individual responses to a bitter-tasting cue paired with cocaine varied widely, with some avoiding the drug entirely and others increasing consumption over time.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 27, 2024·4 min readFinger Lengths May Reveal Insights Into Drinking HabitsThe relative lengths of your fingers might be linked to your alcohol consumption patterns. Researchers found that individuals with longer 4th (ring) fingers relative to 2nd (index) fingers, indicating high prenatal testosterone exposure, are more likely to consume alcohol.Read More