Why does addiction still feel like it’s getting worse… despite decades of neuroscience research, treatment programs, and greater awareness than ever before?

In this episode of Next Door Neuro – Lab Notes, I explore one of the most important ideas from my recent conversation with neuroscientist and bestselling author Judy Grisel:

Addiction isn’t getting worse because humans suddenly became weak.

It's likely getting worse because the environment changed dramatically… while the brain stayed largely the same.

And importantly, this conversation isn’t just about drugs anymore.

It’s about modern life more broadly:

• Smartphones
• Social media
• Ultra-processed food
• Gambling
• Pornography
• Endless stimulation
• And constant access to quick relief, reward, and distraction.

In this episode, I explore:

• Why modern life may be becoming increasingly addictive
• “Supernormal stimuli” and evolutionary mismatch
• Why constant access changes behavior
• Why boredom feels increasingly uncomfortable
• Earlier exposure and adolescent brain development
• And the rise of behavioral addictions.

If your brain fuels your life… what fuels your brain?

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Why addiction still seems to be getting worse
 02:10 – Modern life is becoming increasingly addictive
 03:36 – How the brain learns from repetition
 04:18 – The environment changed. The brain didn’t.
 04:43 – Higher potency and hyper-stimulation
 06:04 – Constant access and endless stimulation
 07:53 – Earlier exposure and adolescent brains
 09:10 – Addiction without substances