Addiction

The same brain system that rewards you for a delicious meal is hijacked by drugs like fentanyl. A behavioral neuroscientist explains how understanding the specific memories behind these rewards is the key to treating addiction without harming our essential survival...

Obsessive romantic attachment may be more than an emotional burden—it could also impair your thinking. A new study reveals that love addiction, especially when fueled by anxiety and social media use, is linked to memory problems and daily cognitive failures.

Researchers have found that individuals who frequently view internet pornography show distinct brain activity and diminished cognitive control. The study suggests that heavy use may impact emotional processing and executive function in ways that resemble patterns seen in substance addiction.

Early results from a pilot study indicate that psilocybin-assisted therapy could be linked to lower alcohol consumption and improved psychological outcomes, though larger controlled trials are needed to determine whether the psilocybin itself is responsible for these changes.

A yearlong study of more than 4,000 U.S. adults found that problematic pornography use tends to persist over time and is strongly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, suggesting a lasting link between porn dysregulation and psychological distress.

A new study suggests that people who feel fewer bodily sensations while intoxicated may be at higher risk for alcohol misuse. Using bodily maps and heartbeat tasks, researchers linked internal awareness to physiological effects and subjective feelings of intoxication.

Researchers have identified a pathway linking childhood abuse to addictive behaviors in teens, showing that impulsivity and irritability help explain why early adversity increases the risk of smoking, alcohol use, and internet addiction.

A new study in Neuron suggests that men may be biologically more vulnerable to misusing opioids like fentanyl in response to pain. The findings point to estrogen’s ability to suppress brain reward circuits and reduce drug use during chronic pain.

Research shows that pornography use, which often begins in early adolescence, can impact brain development, sexual expectations, and relationship dynamics. While not formally classified as an addiction, problematic use is linked to emotional detachment, reduced satisfaction, and increased impulsivity.

A new study of heavy-drinking young adults found that drinking more on a given day was linked to both regretted and positive romantic or sexual experiences. For women, using cannabis alongside alcohol appeared to reduce the likelihood of regret.

In a study of young people with cannabis use disorder, N-acetylcysteine failed to outperform a placebo in reducing cannabis use, suggesting that the supplement may not be effective unless combined with more intensive behavioral interventions like contingency management.

Sleep and addiction are deeply intertwined, and new research suggests that disrupted circadian rhythms may drive opioid dependence.

Prosocial teens are less likely to turn to substances, while antisocial behavior predicts higher risk, a study finds.

A small clinical trial finds semaglutide may help people with alcohol use disorder cut back on drinking and reduce cravings.