If the neurobiology of addiction were a movie, dopamine might get the starring role. Addiction simply doesn’t happen without dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical messaging systems in the brain that carry specific messages from one area … Read More
Why Concussions Are a Big Deal: Long-Term Effects on Mental Health
Our skull acts like a helmet to protect our brain, which is made of soft tissue. Sitting in water and fluid, however, our brain is not compactly protected by our skulls, which is why we are instructed to wear helmets … Read More
Why the Prefrontal Cortex Matters in Addiction and Recovery
Addiction is a matter of reward. Addiction is rooted in neurobiology. It disrupts the brain’s reward circuit—the system responsible for reinforcing behavior and driving motivation. Drugs and alcohol, in addition to other mind altering substances, stimulate the production of a … Read More