PSYCH 031: Neuroscience of Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders are often misunderstood as failures of will. This chapter reframes them as disorders of brain systems governing reward, motivation, learning, and control.
In this episode, we explore how substances act on neural circuits - particularly those involving dopamine - to produce powerful reinforcement signals. These signals are not merely pleasurable; they reshape the brain’s priorities, assigning disproportionate importance to substance-related cues.
We examine how repeated use leads to neuroadaptation. Reward systems become less responsive to natural stimuli, while…
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