Addiction is something that affects us all — whether it’s a close friend, family member or the person looking back at us in the mirror.

Plus with substance abuse at an all-time post-pandemic (not to mention the sharp rise of digital addictions like gambling, pornography and video games), addiction is no longer something that happens to “those people over there,” but rather a “normal” part of our modern culture.

But what actually is addiction? Why can our brains get addicted to stuff in the first place? And how can we find our way out of the vortex that steals so many hours, weeks and years of life in mild cases, and actual life in the extreme?

These are some of the questions myself and Steve wrestle with in today’s conversation alongside:

- Why did humans evolve to have addiction-prone brains?

- How does addiction hijack our neurochemistry?

- Why do drug addictions get more attention than some of the behavioural addictions stampeding through our culture?

- What role does dopamine and D2 receptors play in this process?

- And whether or not genetics can tell us the full story.

Thanks so much for being here and we really hope you enjoy.

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For show notes, supplement list and links to everything we talk about today please visit: https://mentalhealth.fm/episodes/addiction-101-how-drugs-behaviours-hijack-our-brain

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