The neurochemical has become a boogeyman for people worried about addiction and indulgence. But the real story is a lot more complex. By Dana G. Smith The neurotransmitter dopamine is eliciting a lot ...

Within the brain, chemical neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine regulate mood, emotions and many physiological and behavioral processes. Their imbalance can contribute to anxiety, ...

You’ve probably heard of dopamine as a “pleasure chemical” that’s been associated with addiction. Think of the term “dopamine rush.” People use it to describe the flood of pleasure that comes from ...

It is frequently said that addiction occurs when drugs “hijack” the brain. It’s hard to nail down what that means, but it does rightly suggest that there is an involuntary takeover of the brain that ...

Dopamine is a fascinating neurotransmitter responsible for allowing people to feel pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation. However, this neurotransmitter often takes center stage in discussions about ...

There are many theories about the causes of addiction, the use and abuse of legal and illegal psychoactive substances. Biology, psychology, and social and cultural elements all play a role in the ...

As a major public health scourge of the 20th and presumably 21st centuries, drug addiction costs the United States billions of dollars in confronting medical illnesses, social problems and crime.

Researchers have identified another gene that could influence the risk of opioid dependence, a new study shows, adding to the evidence that genetic factors play a crucial role in determining who ...

The terms “addiction” and “dependence” can seem similar, but they are different. Dependence occurs when the body physically relies on a drug. Addiction involves changes in behavior. A person with an ...

“Despite a significant genetic contribution to alcohol dependence, few risk genes have been identified to date, and their mechanisms of action are generally poorly understood,” coauthor Vez ...