Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction | Judy Grisel | TEDxPSU

Summary

This script addresses the alarming rates of substance use among young people, highlighting the impact of early exposure on developing substance use disorders. It delves into the brain's reward system, illustrating how drugs like marijuana can disrupt the brain's natural homeostatic balance, leading to tolerance and dependence. The speaker's personal journey from addiction to neuroscience research underscores the complexity of addiction and the ongoing search for solutions.

Takeaways

• 🔢 High school students are at significant risk of substance abuse; 70% have consumed alcohol, half have tried illegal drugs, and close to that number have used nicotine.
• 🚫 Early exposure to substances is a major risk factor for developing substance use disorders, with those starting at 14 having seven times the risk of developing an alcohol problem compared to those starting at 21.
• 🧠 The adolescent brain is naturally inclined towards risk-taking and novelty-seeking, which has evolutionary benefits but also primes them for substance experimentation.
• 💉 The speaker's personal story illustrates the severe consequences of substance abuse, including homelessness, hepatitis C, and the need for treatment.
• 🎓 The speaker's academic pursuit in neuroscience reflects the complexity of addiction, which remains an unsolved problem despite extensive research.
• 🌐 Addiction is characterized by craving, compulsive use, tolerance, and dependence, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
• 🧬 Genetics play a role in addiction, with certain tendencies like novelty-seeking and risk-taking being more prevalent in some individuals.
• 🌳 Environmental factors such as access to drugs and stress levels can contribute to the development of addiction.
• 👶 Adverse childhood experiences can prime an individual for addiction, as they may use substances to cope with early trauma.
• 🏠 The concept of homeostatic emotional baseline is introduced, explaining how substances can disrupt this balance and lead to addiction.
• 🍔 The speaker uses the analogy of finding 'bacon' to explain how the brain's endocannabinoid system responds to rewarding experiences, and how THC from marijuana disrupts this natural process.
• 💡 Regular marijuana use can lead to a diminished sense of reward and pleasure, as the brain adapts by reducing the interaction sites, leading to a lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities.

Q & A

What percentage of kids will have drunk alcohol by the time they graduate from high school?

70% of kids will have drunk alcohol by the time they graduate from high school.

What is one of the primary factors in developing substance use disorders?

One of the primary factors in developing substance use disorders is early exposure to substances.

How much more likely is a person to develop an alcohol problem if they start drinking by age 14 compared to waiting until 21 or later?

A person who starts drinking by age 14 is seven times more likely to develop an alcohol problem compared to someone who waits until they are 21 or older.

Why do adolescents take risks according to the speaker?

Adolescents take risks because they are primed for high risk-taking and novelty seeking, which historically benefited human populations by balancing progress and caution.

What are the characteristics of addiction mentioned in the script?

Addiction is characterized by craving, compulsive use, tolerance (the drug works less well over time), and dependence (feeling less good than normal without the drug).

What percentage of the risk of addiction is attributed to genetic factors?

About half of the risk of addiction is attributed to genetic factors.

How does early adverse experiences influence the development of addiction?

Early adverse experiences can prime a person for developing an addiction as they may use substances to cope with stress.

What is homeostasis in the context of feeling states?

Homeostasis in the context of feeling states refers to a baseline feeling state that is actively maintained by the nervous system, allowing individuals to gauge if something good or bad happens.

How does the brain adapt to regular substance use according to the speaker?

The brain adapts to regular substance use by developing tolerance, meaning the substance has less effect over time, and by causing dependence, so that when the substance is not present, the person feels worse than their normal baseline.

What happens to the brain's endocannabinoid system with frequent marijuana use?

Frequent marijuana use causes the brain to lose interaction sites in the endocannabinoid system, making everything seem less interesting and motivating without the drug, and potentially leading to permanent changes in brain function.