Addiction

A recent study suggests that a high sex drive and a tendency for spontaneous mind-wandering are the main drivers of unexpected sexual thoughts. Surprisingly, frequent pornography use does not appear to directly trigger these unprompted ideas.

A novel vaccine candidate could offer broad protection against fentanyl and its many illicit variants. By training the immune system to recognize a shared molecular signature, the breakthrough approach outpaces the rapid development of synthetic designer opioids.

A new longitudinal study reveals that adults who frequently view pornography tend to experience more depressive symptoms. This consistent link remains stable over time and exists independently of a person's age, gender, or personal moral beliefs.

A new study of adolescents reveals that total video game playtime is associated with certain cognitive benefits, while signs of gaming addiction are linked to lower mental performance. The specific games teenagers play also make a difference.

A single dose of psilocybin reduces the drive to seek out rewards by increasing the activity of inhibitory brain cells. These findings help explain how psychedelics might induce long-lasting changes in brain circuits to treat substance use disorders.

A new study finds that children who start drinking alcohol before age 15 show distinct whole-brain network patterns years earlier. These brain features could serve as early markers for adolescent alcohol use vulnerability.

A new study highlights how age and specific environments relate to drinking habits. Adapting to social norms is associated with higher alcohol use in youth, but linked to lower consumption among older adults in certain settings.

When escaping into fantasy becomes an uncontrollable habit, it often brings widespread psychological distress. A massive new review of statistical evidence reveals that compulsive daydreaming behaves much like a formal mental health disorder.

Long-term nicotine use alters specific brain circuits in mice, dramatically increasing their motivation to work for food. By dampening a regulatory neural pathway, nicotine creates an exaggerated drive for non-drug rewards that persists independently of physical hunger.

Laboratory research reveals that a specialized psychedelic compound drops the motivation to consume cocaine in animal models. The findings suggest that targeting specific serotonin receptors devalues the drug, offering a biological blueprint for future addiction treatments.

Extreme loneliness in young adults often predicts obsessive online habits like uncontrollably viewing pornography. Conversely, obsessive gaming and endless internet health searches can predict future social isolation, revealing a cyclic relationship between human disconnection and digital habits.

A new study reveals that people using illicit fentanyl consume doses equivalent to nearly 9,000 milligrams of morphine daily. This extreme tolerance explains why standard addiction treatments often fail to manage severe withdrawal symptoms.

A new study suggests people with a history of regular substance use understand the negative consequences of their actions. However, they struggle to consistently apply this knowledge when making decisions, leading to costly and seemingly random choices.

A comprehensive review of more than 50 studies has found a strong link between spirituality and a lower risk of substance abuse. Participating in religious or spiritual services significantly reduces the likelihood of harmful drug and alcohol use.

Young people who regularly view pornography featuring aggressive themes are more likely to enact those dominant behaviors with their own partners. New research suggests this behavioral connection is associated with lower romantic satisfaction in adolescent relationships.