Addiction

Semaglutide Reduces Alcohol Drinking in Mice: Potential Addiction Treatment

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The FDA-approved diabetes drug semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking in mice and rats, suggesting it could be repurposed as an effective medication for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Key findings include: Semaglutide dose-dependently decreased binge-like drinking in both male and female mice. In rats, semaglutide reduced binge-like and dependence-induced alcohol drinking. Semaglutide also decreased consumption of caloric …

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Exercise Addiction Linked to Depression, ADHD, Psychological Trauma

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Researchers have uncovered concerning links between excessive exercise and psychiatric problems like depression, ADHD, and childhood trauma. This sheds new light on the concerning phenomenon of exercise addiction. Key Facts: Individuals at risk for exercise addiction scored higher on measures of depression, ADHD symptoms, and childhood trauma compared to frequent exercisers not at risk. Around …

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Behavioral Addiction Treatment: CBT & Antidepressants Most Effective?

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Behavioral addictions like internet, sex, and shopping addictions may not be formally recognized as psychiatric conditions, but research shows that treatments can be effective in reducing problematic symptoms. Key Facts: Psychological, pharmacological, and combined treatments all showed robust improvements in global severity and frequency of compulsive behaviors for internet, sex, and shopping addictions. Treatment gains …

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Maladaptive Daydreaming: A New Behavioral Addiction?

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Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a newly recognized behavioral addiction characterized by excessive absorption in fantasy. Key facts about Maladaptive Daydreaming: It involves compulsive,immersive daydreaming that impairs functioning MD serves as an escape and emotional regulation strategy It shares features with other behavioral addictions like gaming and porn addiction MD can occupy many hours a day …

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Adrenal Cortex & Addiction: HPA Axis & Cortisol Influence Reward

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Addiction involves complex interactions between the brain’s reward circuitry and stress systems. The adrenal cortex and its hormones are emerging as key players. Key Facts: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates adrenal cortex hormone secretion. Adrenal hormones like cortisol influence mood, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Disrupting adrenal hormone signaling reduces addictive behaviors in animal studies. There …

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Adrenaline Addiction in Rock Climbers: Thrill Seeking Behavior

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Extreme sports like rock climbing are often described as “addictive” – but is this just a figure of speech or is there scientific evidence that these sports can produce addiction-like behaviors? A new study took a deep dive into this question, examining withdrawal symptoms in rock climbers during periods of abstinence from climbing. Key Facts: …

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Modafinil & Serotonin Receptors Influence Gambling Behaviors Like “Loss Chasing”

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Gambling is a complex behavior influenced by multiple factors in the brain. New research in mice provides insight into the neurobiology underlying key aspects of gambling such as making the initial decision to gamble and persistently chasing losses. Key Facts: Mice exhibit typical gambling behaviors like choosing to gamble more when odds of winning are …

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Probiotics & Antioxidants: L. Rhamnosus & NAC Reduces Binge Drinking Alcohol

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Researchers have identified a powerful combination of drugs that may help treat alcoholism by reducing cravings and blocking relapse. The dual treatment virtually wiped out binge drinking and heavy drinking in an animal model of alcohol addiction. Key Facts: Rats treated with both a probiotic and antioxidants showed a dramatic 90% decrease in relapse-like binge …

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Chronic Stress & Drug Abuse: Overlapping Epigenetic Effects in the Brain

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Experiencing chronic stress or taking addictive drugs like cocaine can change your brain and behavior in similar ways, making you prone to anxiety or addiction. Key Facts: Chronic stress and chronic drug abuse both impair the striatum, which can make people become rigid in their thinking and unable to update information. This can promote anxiety, …

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