Addiction often isn’t about chasing pleasure—it’s about escaping pain. Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered that a ...

Make no mistake, addiction is a neurological brain disorder. When the subject of addiction comes up, people often lean on ...

Within the brain, chemical neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine regulate mood, emotions and many physiological and behavioral processes. Their imbalance can contribute to anxiety, ...

A consensus is emerging among scientists that certain foods are addictive for some people. But questions remain about which ...

Alcohol and other drugs can overpower the reward pathways of the brain. Simona Dumitru/Moment via Getty Images Many people are wired to seek and respond to rewards. Your brain interprets food as ...

A new brain imaging study suggests that people who report symptoms of addiction to short-form video platforms—such as TikTok or Instagram Reels—may be less sensitive to financial losses and make ...

Scientists have found that the process of adaptive myelination, which helps the brain learn new skills, can also promote addiction to opioids. Our brains, even in adulthood, continually adapt to what ...

“I don’t understand why he just can’t stop abusing alcohol.” Turns out that addiction is a whole lot more complicated than just saying “no.” Although the stigma of addiction as a moral failing ...

Extreme instances of stress can cause lasting changes to the brain itself. This could leave some people more vulnerable to ...

A noninvasive device that delivers weak electrical currents to the brain may help those with multiple sclerosis cut back on ...

Scientists have pinpointed a hidden brain circuit that may explain why withdrawal drives people back to alcohol.