Tag: neuroscience

  • Is marijuana addictive? You can bet your heroin on that!

    “Is marijuana addictive?” seems to be the ultimate question for many people. In fact, when discussing addiction, it is rare that the addiction potential for marijuana doesn’t come up. Some basic points about marijuana: The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain (CB1 and CB2). Since it is a partial…

  • Why the addiction-brain connection has to be part of the addiction treatment picture

    Dr. Dodes recent article, apparently trying to blow up the myth of addiction as a neurophysiological disorder, sounded persuasive, although its underpinning was oversimplified and it’s understanding of the brain-science involved in addiction, and other associated mental health disorders, was lacking. Hopefully, by presenting a more complete picture of the evidence for a brain-aspect to…

  • Choice and control in addiction – Genetics and neuroscience of drug abuse

    Dr. Jaffe recently gave an online lecture (webinar) for HealthCentral on the processes involved in choice and control of behavior during addiction and drug abuse. We’ve written quite a bit on here about the neuroscience of impulsivity issues and the genetic predisposition to addiction and this talk really covers some of the most important aspects…

  • Addicts’ brains depressed but normal users… normal.

    A paper that’s about to be published in the journal Science has found at least part of the difference between the brains of addicted individuals and those that use recreationally. The question as to why only some people get addicted to drugs has been a difficult one to answer. Still, there’s no doubt that only…

  • Know before you speak – Why etiquette is important

    You know, I try to write this blog from a completely objective point of you, but guess what – I’m a person, so things take on a personal tone once in a while. There’s nothing I hate more than readers who come to this site, read a single post, and then decide they know who…

  • The misunderstanding of addiction neuroscience

    I just read a comment on another blogger’s post about the neuroscience of sex addiction. The commenter just couldn’t understand why an addict’s behavior could be rationalized by neuroscience when so many other people have little problem, even when exposed to sex, drugs, or whatnot. It seems simple to me, but I’ve been doing research…

  • About addiction: Animal research, food addiction, policy, and cocaine addiction

    Here are this weeks gems when it comes to learning about addiction. As usual, if you click this title’s post, you’ll get a list of our related post as a bonus! Adventures in Ethics and Science – A nice post about the current state of the animal-rights dialog Addiction Inbox – Mood Foods (and their…

  • Neuroscience updates!!!

    Hey readers! We’ve just passed the 6000 visitor mark and our readership is growing steadily. I want to thank everyone who regularly check the site and welcome those of you who are here for the first time. I’m in DC right now, attending the annual meeting of the Society For Neuroscience (sfn.org). I have been…