addiction

Trauma Cues Increased Substance Craving via Negative Affect in Meta-Analysis

by
Trauma Cues Increased Substance Craving via Negative Affect in Meta-Analysis

TL;DR: A 2026 meta-analysis in European Journal of Psychotraumatology found that trauma cues increased substance craving in trauma-exposed people who use substances, and the strongest pathway ran through cue-triggered negative affect. Key Findings 32 studies: Researchers synthesized trauma cue-reactivity studies from 21 unique datasets. Craving increased with trauma cues: Trauma reminders produced higher craving than …

Read more

How Cocaine Rewires the Brain’s Reward Circuit

by

How Cocaine Rewires the Brain’s Reward Circuit TL;DR: Cocaine hijacks a transcription factor called FosB in a brain circuit connecting the hippocampus to the nucleus accumbens, suppressing neural excitability and driving compulsive drug-seeking behavior—a mechanism that could reshape addiction treatment. The brain has two competing drives during addiction: the conscious desire to quit and the …

Read more

Video Game Addiction vs. Brain Activity & Response Inhibition: A Cued Go/NoGo Task Study

by

Video game addiction (VGA) is associated with significant deficits in response inhibition and preparatory processes, reflected by more commission errors and reduced N2 amplitudes in the cued Go/NoGo task. Highlights: Increased Commission Errors: Individuals with VGA made significantly more commission errors in NoGo trials compared to healthy controls, indicating impaired response inhibition. Faster Reaction Times: …

Read more

rTMS of Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DL-PFC) May Treat Methamphetamine Addiction via Altering Cravings & Decision Making (2024 Study)

by

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) improves decision-making and reduces cravings in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Highlights: Improved Decision-Making: rTMS treatment enhanced decision-making abilities in MUD patients, making their choices more rational and similar to healthy individuals. Craving Reduction: Participants experienced a significant decrease in cravings for …

Read more

Improving Addiction Treatment by Targeting Cognitive Deficits

by

People struggling with substance use disorders often have difficulties with memory, attention, planning, and decision-making. New research explores how these cognitive deficits relate to treatment outcomes and whether targeting them could improve addiction recovery. Key Facts: Cognitive deficits are common in people with substance use disorders, especially relating to memory, attention, self-control, and reward-based decision-making. …

Read more

Amphetamine Sensitization Alters Brain’s Reward Circuits in Humans (Study)

by

Researchers have found that repeated low doses of amphetamine can alter reward and motivation circuits in the human brain. The changes mirror what is seen in addiction and schizophrenia. Key Facts: Healthy volunteers received 4 doses of a low 20mg dose of amphetamine or placebo, spaced 2 days apart. Those getting amphetamine showed enhanced subjective …

Read more

Pharmacology, Benefits, Risks of Kratom: A Prescription Opioid Alternative

by

Kratom is a plant gaining popularity as an alternative painkiller and recreational drug. But how much do we really know about its risks and benefits? About Kratom: Kratom is a tropical tree in the coffee family, native to Southeast Asia. People ingest its leaves to produce stimulant and opioid-like effects. Use is rising in the …

Read more

Semaglutide Reduces Alcohol Drinking in Mice: Potential Addiction Treatment

by

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 …

Read more

Tiburon & Krispy Marijuana: “Shark Weed” as Addictive as Cocaine?

by

A powerful, unregulated synthetic marijuana called “Tiburón” (Spanish for “shark”) has recently emerged in Honduras, posing severe risks to public health. Produced and sold by the notorious MS-13 street gang, this altered cannabis strain is designed to be even more addictive than regular marijuana. But its exact contents and effects remain a mystery. Key Facts: …

Read more

Ibogaine for Opioid Addiction: Safety Concerns & Cardiac Risks

by

Ibogaine, an alkaloid derived from the Tabernanthe iboga shrub found in Africa, has received attention as a potential treatment for addiction, particularly opioid use disorder. While small studies have hinted at effectiveness, a new clinical study shows ibogaine comes with concerning safety risks that may limit its therapeutic potential. Key facts: Ibogaine resulted in significant …

Read more

+ Load more