Addiction Neuroscience | Vibepedia

Addiction neuroscience reveals how substances hijack the brain's ancient reward pathways, flooding them with dopamine and reshaping neural circuits for compulsion over choice. This field maps a three-stage cycle—binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation—driven by adaptations in the basal ganglia, extended amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. Pioneered by researchers like George Koob, it shifts addiction from moral judgment to a treatable brain disorder, informing therapies that restore balance.