Addiction: Disease Model, Dopamine, and Environmental Factors in Neuroscience

What is the main idea behind the disease model of addiction?

Addiction should be viewed as a disease rather than a moral failure or a lack of willpower.

What are the implications of the disease model for treatment?

It suggests that addiction should be treated medically rather than through punishment or incarceration.

What is the role of dopamine in addiction?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the brain's reward system and is affected by drug use.

How does drug use affect the dopamine system?

Drug use can damage the dopamine system, leading to altered reward processing and increased cravings.

What is the 'addiction code' in relation to phones and social media?

The 'addiction code' refers to how these platforms are designed to exploit the dopamine system, promoting compulsive use.

What is Alexander's overall view on addiction?

Alexander believes addiction is influenced by social and environmental factors, contrasting with the disease model's focus on biology.

How do the Rat Park studies differ from earlier addiction studies?

Rat Park studies emphasize the role of environment and social connections in addiction, unlike earlier studies that isolated rats.

According to the Rat Park studies, why do people suffer from addiction?

People suffer from addiction due to a lack of social and environmental support, rather than solely biological factors.

What is the significance of the Siegel overdose study?

It highlights that drug overdoses are more likely to occur in environments where the user is not accustomed to the drug.

What is the concept of compensatory responses in addiction?

Compensatory responses are physiological changes that occur in anticipation of drug use, which can influence overdose risk.

What connection does the story of Phineas Gage have with addiction?

Phineas Gage's case illustrates how brain damage can affect behavior and decision-making, relevant to understanding addiction.

What is synesthesia in the context of neuroscientific perspectives?

Synesthesia is a condition where stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to automatic experiences in another pathway, illustrating brain complexity.

What does the concept of 'the brain determines our reality' imply?

It suggests that our perceptions and experiences are heavily influenced by brain function and structure.

function of the pons

Connects lower and higher regions of the brain. Plays a role in sleep and arousal.

function of the Reticular formation

A group of nerve cells that help control sleep, arousal, and attention.

function of the medulla

Controls vital involuntary functions like swallowing and breathing.

function of the cerebellum

Plays a role in learning and memory. Big role in balance and coordination.

function of the hypothalamus

Maintains homeostasis, regulates emotions, and is involved in basic drives. Associated with feelings of pleasure.

function of the hippocampus

Formation of new memories.

function of the amygdala 

Learning, memory, and experiences of both positive and negative emotions. Linked to aggression.

function of the thalamus

Directs neural traffic between the senses and the cerebral cortex. Senses are directed by the thalamus to the cerebral cortex.

function of the somatosensory cortex

Receives sensory information of touch from receptors on the skin

function of Motor Cortex

Sends impulses to voluntary muscles.

function of Broca’s area

Directs muscle movements in the production of speech.

function of Wernicke’s Area

Comprehension of language. 

What is the Corpus Callosum

large bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, allowing them to communicate and coordinate functions

Functions of the Left Hemisphere

language processing, logical reasoning, and analytical tasks

Functions of the Right Hemisphere

creativity, intuition, emotional processing, and holistic thinking