Psychology of Addiction
What happens when desire becomes destructive addiction?
4.4 (24)
39 mins
A tiny neurotransmitter in the brain, Dopamine, plays a crucial role in motivation, desire and habit formation. But what happens when Dopamine levels are disrupted? By understanding how dopamine drives the intense cravings and obsessive thoughts central to addiction, we gain insights into breaking the chains of such self-destructive habits.
Ep 1:
The Dopamine Discovery
From electrode-implanted rats to slot machines, discover how dopamine drives wanting over liking—and why anticipation, not pleasure, is secretly steering your cravings and habits.
Ep 2:
Accessibility Is the Real Drug
Why is a cigarette more dangerous to society than heroin? We explore how prediction errors, hijacked reward circuits, and easy access—not potency—fuel tobacco and porn addiction.
Discussions (19)
Billy
Level 9 · 9 mo agoActually, dopamine drives wanting not liking.
Lowell
Level 9 · 9 mo agoGreat so now liking KFC is a disease. Next you will tell me checking eBay sold listings at 3am is a medical condition. We are all just rats pressing a lever hoping for a shiny drop.
Tanner
Level 5 · 9 mo agoThe decoupling of desire from pleasure exposes a cruel biological flaw. Dopamine compels us to pursue rewards that offer no satisfaction, effectively automating our misery via a feedback loop of anticipation.
