Never Enough audiobook cover - The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction

Never Enough

The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction

Judith Grisel

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Never Enough
The Brain's Addiction Mechanics+
Specific Drugs & Mechanisms+
Risk Factors & Vulnerability+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What is 'habituation' in the context of drug addiction?
  • A. The conscious decision to consume a substance at the same time every day.
  • B. The brain's production of hormones or neurotransmitters with the exact opposite effect of the drug to maintain equilibrium.
  • C. The permanent destruction of dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens after repeated drug use.
  • D. The psychological reliance on the social rituals surrounding drug consumption.
Question 2 of 8
How does THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) differ from drugs like cocaine in its effect on the brain?
  • A. THC only affects the brain's pain centers, while cocaine affects the reward center.
  • B. THC decreases dopamine production, while cocaine increases it.
  • C. THC stimulates regions across the entire brain, whereas cocaine acts on a specific part or receptor.
  • D. THC permanently alters brain chemistry after one use, whereas cocaine requires repeated use.
Question 3 of 8
Why do opiate addicts often experience intense suffering and emptiness when the drug wears off?
  • A. The body stops producing dopamine entirely for several weeks.
  • B. The brain's synapses are temporarily paralyzed by the drug's toxins.
  • C. The body produces an abundance of anti-opiates that magnify pain and suffering.
  • D. The nucleus accumbens shrinks in size, reducing the capacity for joy.
Question 4 of 8
According to Dr. Christina Gianoulakis's study, which individuals are particularly susceptible to alcoholism?
  • A. Those with naturally occurring low levels of beta-endorphins.
  • B. Those who have an overactive prefrontal cortex.
  • C. Those with an unusually high number of GABA-A receptors.
  • D. Those who naturally produce excessive amounts of adrenaline.
Question 5 of 8
What specific mechanism makes cocaine so highly addictive?
  • A. It mimics the body's natural endorphins to eliminate all physical pain.
  • B. It stymies the transporter that recycles dopamine, leaving it in the synaptic gap to repeatedly stimulate pleasure receptors.
  • C. It rapidly increases the production of anandamide, making mundane stimuli feel extraordinary.
  • D. It permanently alters the DNA of the nucleus accumbens, creating a genetic reliance on the drug.
Question 6 of 8
Why does the body build a tolerance to tranquilizers, requiring ever-increasing doses to achieve the same calming effect?
  • A. The liver metabolizes the drugs at an accelerated rate after the first few doses.
  • B. The brain compensates by producing massive amounts of adrenaline.
  • C. The body reduces the number of GABA-A receptors, leaving fewer locations for the drug to attach.
  • D. The chloride ions in the cells become positively charged, neutralizing the drug's effects.
Question 7 of 8
How does the concept of epigenetics relate to drug addiction, as demonstrated by the 2015 study on rats?
  • A. Drug addiction is purely a learned behavior passed down through parenting styles.
  • B. Environmental adaptations, such as those caused by a parent's THC exposure, can be passed on genetically and affect offspring's susceptibility to drugs.
  • C. Only identical twins can pass down the specific genes responsible for addictive tendencies.
  • D. Genetic markers for addiction can be completely erased by a healthy diet and exercise.
Question 8 of 8
Why are adolescents at a particularly high risk of taking drugs and going too far?
  • A. Their bodies produce lower levels of beta-endorphins than adults.
  • B. Their nucleus accumbens is physically larger and more sensitive to dopamine.
  • C. They lack the necessary enzymes to properly metabolize and filter out toxins.
  • D. Their prefrontal cortex, which controls impulsive behavior and abstract reasoning, is not yet fully developed.

Never Enough — Full Chapter Overview

Never Enough Summary & Overview

Never Enough (2019) is about drugs and addiction. The author explores the science behind drugs ranging from alcohol to cocaine and explains why certain people are more prone to addiction than others.

Who Should Listen to Never Enough?

  • Drug addicts, including alcoholics and smokers
  • Psychologists and health professionals
  • Relatives and friends of addicts

About the Author: Judith Grisel

Judith Grisel is a neuroscientist and psychologist based at the University of Bucknell in Pennsylvania. Before her successful academic career, Grisel was a drug addict. Her personal experience with addiction and overcoming it has informed her professional approach and her writing.

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