Biological Explanation for Addiction
Biological explanation of addiction
Real World
Cocaine blocks the dopamine reuptake transporter, flooding the nucleus accumbens with dopamine and producing intense euphoria; chronic users of crack cocaine show significantly downregulated D2 receptors on brain scans, explaining why ordinary pleasures feel flat and higher doses are craved.
Exam Focus
Name the mesolimbic pathway and explain the dopamine mechanism clearly; for evaluation, use genetic twin studies to show biological vulnerability is not destiny.
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