How One Drug Turned Parkinson’s Patients Into Compulsive Gamblers

Witty Historian · Aug 6, 2026 · 1h 41m

Mirapex (pramipexole) is a Parkinson's disease medication that has been linked to unexpected side effects, including compulsive gambling and other impulse control disorders. This documentary explores the history, science, and real-life stories behind one of the most unusual medication side effects ever discovered.📚 SOURCES & FURTHER READINGThe big study (3,090 patients, 17% developed compulsive behaviors): https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/721768The neuroscience — why pramipexole blunts the reward system: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2423613/The Canadian investigation (W5)…