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reward system

·July 19, 2018·6 min read

How the Brain Reacts to Food May Be Linked to Overeating

A new study reports when certain brain areas react more strongly to food rewards than financial rewards, children are more likely to overeat, even if they are not hungry or overweight.

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·July 13, 2018·5 min read

The Psychology of Roller Coasters

Researchers investigate why so many people are hooked on the thrill of roller coaster riding.

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·July 13, 2018·3 min read

Maged1 Gene Protects Against Cocaine Addiction

A new study reports mice lacking the Maged1 gene are unable to acquire an addiction to cocaine.

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·July 2, 2018·4 min read

Reward and Unease Are Closely Linked in the Brain

Researchers say melanocortin 4 receptors may play a role in unease and reward. The study reports dopamine levels fell in the reward system of mice when the animal experienced something unpleasant. However, in mice lacking the melanocortin 4 receptor, dopamine levels increased slightly following a negative experience.

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·June 26, 2018·3 min read

How Your Brain Decides Between Knowledge and Ignorance

Researchers report the brain's reward network could play an influential role in evaluating the opportunity to gain new information, just as it does to evaluate rewards such as food or financial gain.

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·June 19, 2018·4 min read

Video Game Loot Boxes Similar to Gambling

Researchers say video games that offer loot boxes containing items to give players an advantage increase gambling and risk taking behaviors in adolescents.

brain scans taken while people listened to music

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·June 12, 2018·6 min read

Higher Empathy People Process Music Differently in the Brain

Researchers report people with higher empathy process music with greater involvement in the brain's reward system and areas of the brain associated with social information processing.

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·June 6, 2018·5 min read

Human Drug Addiction Behaviors Tied to Specific Impairments in 6 Brain Networks

A new study reports impairments in six brain networks are associated with addiction behaviors. The findings may pave the way for developing more targeted treatments for addiction.

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·May 21, 2018·4 min read

Brain Stimulation May Reduce Food Cravings as Obesity Treatment

According to researchers, high frequency dTMS increased beta endorphin levels, producing heightened feelings of reward following food ingestion. Researchers report this form of non-invasive brain stimulation could help alter food cravings in obese people.

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·March 2, 2018·5 min read

In Pursuit of Pleasure, the Brain Learns to Hit the Repeat Button

According to researchers, the brain learns to reproduce brain activity patterns that lead to reward. The findings could lead to new avenues for treating addiction and OCD, researchers report.

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·February 12, 2018·3 min read

Brain Scans Show Why People Get Aggressive After a Drink or Two

According to a new study, the display of aggression following the consumption of alcohol is linked to a dip in activity in the prefrontal cortex.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 5, 2018·6 min read

How Brain’s Reward System Lessened Distress Over 2016 Election Results

People who tended to be more depressed as a result of the 2016 election have less family support and decreased activity in two key regions of the brain's reward system, researchers report.