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cocaine addiction

The image shows the location of the nucleus accumbens in the brain.

·June 7, 2013·4 min read

Researchers Focus on a Brain Protein and an Antibiotic to Block Cocaine Craving

A new study shows that the GLT1 protein plays a critical role in the craving for cocaine which develops after only a few days of cocaine use. However, exposure to ceftriaxone, an antibiotic used to treat meningitis, decreases cocaine cravings.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 15, 2020·5 min read

Surprising effects of oxytocin on cocaine addiction

In men with a history of childhood trauma, oxytocin reduced the activity within the amygdala and cravings for cocaine. Women who were addicted to cocaine and had experienced childhood trauma showed an increase in amygdala activity following exposure to oxytocin.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 8, 2022·4 min read

Human Cocaine and Heroin Addiction Is Found Tied to Impairments in Specific Brain Circuit Initially Implicated in Animals

Greater impairment of the prefrontal cortex-habenula pathway was correlated with earlier age of first drug use.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 9, 2020·4 min read

Novel role for dopamine that impacts gene expression related to cocaine abuse discovered

Reducing H3Q5dop in rat models of cocaine withdrawal significantly reversed cocaine mediated gene expression changes and reduced cocaine-seeking behaviors.

Featured Psychology

·August 8, 2018·2 min read

Exercise Can Help Beat Cocaine Addiction

A new study reveals exercise can help to prevent relapse in those with cocaine addition.

Image shows a stick and ball model of serotonin.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 28, 2017·6 min read

How Serotonin Contributes to Cocaine’s Allure

A new study reinforces the idea that serotonin, a molecule associated with mood, directly contributes to the actions of cocaine.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 10, 2019·5 min read

Disconnect Between Dopamine System and Cocaine Addiction Uncovered

Researchers report the release of dopamine alters when working to obtain cocaine. The study reports, the more effort it takes to secure a supply of the illicit drug, the lower the release of dopamine when taking cocaine.

Image shows a woman and shattered glass.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 27, 2017·5 min read

Reprogramming Brain Region Can Suppress Cocaine Cravings: Mouse Study

Silencing pyramidal neurons in the infralimbic cortex made rats more likely to relapse than those that underwent withdrawal from cocaine. The findings support growing evidence that the infralimbic cortex plays a vital role in suppressing addictive behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 30, 2018·2 min read

Can Hallucinogens Curb Cocaine Use?

A new study will investigate whether psilocybin can help curb cocaine addiction. Researchers are currently seeking people with a history of cocaine abuse to participate in the study.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 2, 2018·4 min read

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.