Why Our Brains Want to Be Addicted | The Chemistry of Addiction

Why do we crave sugar, alcohol, cigarettes, and other pleasure seeking behaviors? Turns out, our brains kind of want to be addicted. Join Hank Green as he describes how our brains respond biochemically to various addictive substances and behaviors and where those responses have come from, according to science and biology! Let's go!

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[anitapezzi]

As a recovering drug addict with 6 years clean, I think it would be quite interesting if you did an episode about the recovery from drug addiction on a chemical level. What damage is repairable vs. what damage is not.

[bloodspilla]

"The brain is the most complicated piece of matter in the universe"

-Brain

[MegaSqueakymouse]

This makes me think... If dopamine makes you remember things better, and it is released through happiness, why don't schools focus a bit more on making kids happy instead of just shoving the information at you?

[blackgenesisishere]

I'm a recovering meth and heroin addict, im 4 years clean in September 2018.

[kiranicole]

I know this is several years old now, but I want to thank you for creating this.

I was able to use this video for my intensive outpatient treatment, where an assignment I have is to watch videos related to addiction for analysis and discussion. It was very well made, easy to understand, and edited in such a way that summarizing its key points was almost done for me.

You guys at SciShow are awesome. Please keep doing what you guys do, you are truly beneficial to thousands upon thousands of people. <3

[narrator]

I've watched hours of lectures from some of the biggest names in addiction studies and got more out of this video then all of them, Thank You. I now have a better understanding of the meth addict I am forced to live with.

[SiMBol]

I love how hard it is to tell a brand new scishow to one from 2012 just consistent epic quality for years! As someone just getting into it I'm loving that there is SO MUCH to binge on. Hope someone from the team gets the chance to read this so I can say thank you!

[sleepybutwoke]

Made my way through gambling addiction, mental sex addiction, working out + preworkout supplement addiction, substance addiction (amphetamines), and video game addiction. I am narcoleptic and take Modafinil as treatment--- It has allowed me to recognize my addictive behaviors and realize that pleasure is no longer being received from my actions. I now have become very interested in neuroscience and I really enjoy your channel!

[davidgoldnrose]

I knew someone addicted to the hokey pokey, but he turned himself around. And that's what it's all about

[eggsandbacon]

I have an addiction of watching YouTube videos instead of doing my homework

[danielsiedschlag]

Thanks for touching on the dangers of abruptly quitting alcohol after long-term usage. My dad suffered a seizure about 48 hours after stopping cold turkey from a week long binge. I didn't know what was happening at the time and only later after further research learned about the GABA system and the exact reason why he had that seizure. I wish I had seen this video beforehand.

[aaronslater]

I appreciated the tone and serious nature of this video. As an addict, this is one of the best videos to watch on addiction I've ever seen.

[urltima]

Learning about dopamine, the pleasure system, and the reward system separately from addiction has taught me more about my addictive personality than addiction documentaries or addiction exposes or anything else. Addiction is so deep, so so deep.

[alsswim]

As someone with an alcohol addiction I can tell you even though I’m now sober and have been for a while even the smell of alcohol hits all the receptors in my brain and gives me that feeling that I used to chase. It also gives me really bad cravings for more. Addiction is fascinating

[HungerGamesFan]

So... first our brains name themselves, then they outsmart themselves.

*mind blown*

[thomaslumsden]

Probably the most accurate factual presentation of addiction, I've seen. Well supported in the literature and consistent with findings. Thanks for not throwing in your own presumptuous theories and sticking to science. Great Job.

[sunvol]

I do dope and when I get high I feel most comfortable watching your videos. Like you said "people who are addicted crave to go to that place again.". Well in my euphoric state, I enjoy learning if you believe that. I've probably watched every single one of your videos, getting high then listening to you teach me about the world all comfortable and fuzzy feeling in my bed. I really would like to quit doing heroin and this video opened my eyes to addiction a little more then it was already, so thanks for that and please wish me luck, I made a mistake in my life just like everyone else....I was just going to try it once to see how it feels....alright I'm rambling, your biggest fan :)

[idontseeynot]

Made me wanna quit smoking more than any truth commercial

[psychu]

Great job organizing all of this data! When approaching addiction, it is so helpful to understand the biological/ chemical factors of what's going on with the person.

[richperez]

"Mo' synapses -- mo' problems."

I love Hank.