• Question: What causes an addiction, and what part of the brain is it that causes it? :) x

    Asked by drstilesjlstermerrygold98 to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 18 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 18 Jun 2011:

      Hi @drstilesjlstermerrygold98
      Great question!
      Some people think that there is a genetic basis to addiction, so depending on your DNA you are more or less likely to become addicted to a substance. In the example of tobacco, some people’s genes predict their likelihood to smoke, and also how deeply they inhale on cigarettes. If you inhale more deeply, you get more nicotine in your system and therefore you are likely to be more addicted, so this certainly makes sense.

      As for what area in the brain is linked to addiction, I’m not sure I’m afraid, but a lot is to do with the chemicals which pass between the neurons. Certain drugs can cause the levels of these chemicals to rise, so when you stop taking the drugs these levels fall, making the person feel unhappy, and crave the drug to raise their chemical levels again.

      Sorry I can’t completely answer your question but I hope this information helps 🙂

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