Watch The Neuroscience of Addiction

The Neuroscience of Addiction is a captivating and informative documentary series that delves into the complexities of addiction and examines the latest findings and breakthroughs in neuroscience research. Presented by Bill Ambrose, a renowned researcher and professor of neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin, this series takes us on a fascinating journey into the human brain and explores how addiction hijacks the brain's reward system, leading to compulsive drug seeking and use.

In the first episode, Bill Ambrose introduces us to the concept of addiction and the various factors that contribute to this destructive behavior. He explains how drugs and other addictive substances can alter the chemistry of the brain and create powerful cravings that are difficult to resist. Through cutting-edge imaging techniques, Ambrose shows us how the brain responds to addictive substances and how this response can lead to long-term changes in the brain's structure and function.

The second episode focuses on the science behind addiction and how it affects the brain's reward system. We learn about the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in motivation, pleasure, and reward. Ambrose reveals how drugs and other addictive substances can hijack the brain's natural reward system, creating a powerful feedback loop that reinforces drug use and makes it difficult to quit.

The third episode explores the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to addiction. Through interviews with leading experts in the field, Ambrose reveals the latest findings on genetic predispositions to addiction and how environmental factors such as stress, trauma, and social isolation can increase the risk of addiction. We also learn how early prevention and intervention can help to reduce the risk of addiction later in life.

In the fourth and final episode, Ambrose examines the latest treatments for addiction and how neuroscience research is leading to new and innovative therapies. We learn about the use of medications such as methadone and buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction and how cognitive-behavioral therapy can help to change the patterns of thinking and behavior that reinforce addiction. Ambrose also explores emerging therapies such as deep brain stimulation, which uses electrical stimulation to target specific areas of the brain and disrupt the neural pathways that contribute to addiction.

Overall, The Neuroscience of Addiction is a thought-provoking and insightful series that sheds light on one of the most pressing issues of our time. Through in-depth interviews with leading experts, stunning imagery of the brain in action, and clear explanations of complex scientific concepts, Bill Ambrose provides a nuanced and informative look at addiction and the latest research on how to treat it. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a concerned family member, or someone struggling with addiction yourself, this series is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the science behind addiction and how we can best address this complex and challenging problem.

The Neuroscience of Addiction is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (5 episodes). The series first aired on January 1, 2015.