Addiction and the brain: 10 parts of the brain affected by addiction

The brain plays a crucial role in addiction, as it is responsible for regulating our behaviors and emotions. During addiction, the neurotransmitters in the brain are affected, leading to changes in our behavior and decision-making processes.

According to a Medical News Today post by Jennifer Berry, “What are neurotransmitters?” : (2024 ), neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Different neurotransmitters have been identified as playing a role in addiction.

These neurotransmitters include the well-known dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and lesser-known neurotransmitters such as glutamate and GABA. Each of these transmitters has a specific function in the brain, and their dysregulation can lead to addictive behaviors.

Other brain parts affected by addiction include the reward pathway, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. When this happens, it can increase dopamine release, associated with pleasure and reward. This surge of dopamine can reinforce addictive behaviors and make it difficult for individuals to stop using drugs or engaging in other addictive behaviors.

How Does Addiction Affect the Brain?

When an individual engages in addictive behaviors, it leads to changes in the brain’s structure and function. Over time, these changes can become more permanent, making it challenging for individuals to break free from their addiction.

Changes in Brain Structure

Repeated drug use can cause structural changes in the brain, particularly in areas associated with reward and motivation, according to the NLM article ( The Neurobiology of Substance Use, Misuse, and Addiction: 2016). 

This includes the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control; the nucleus accumbens, which processes reward and motivation; and the amygdala, which plays a role in emotional processing. These changes can affect an individual’s ability to make rational decisions and control their impulses, making it easier for them to continue engaging in addictive behaviors.

Changes in Brain Function

Drug use also changes the brain’s neurotransmitter levels and activity, affecting neuron communication. For example, drugs that increase dopamine levels can cause a surge of euphoria, leading to increased motivation to continue using. This can create a cycle of reward-seeking behavior that reinforces addiction. 

What are the 12 neurotransmitters involved in addiction?

The following are some of the neurotransmitters that play a role in addiction, according to a study by NIH (Addiction and the Brain 2024) by Denise M. Tomkins:

1. Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in motivation, reward, and pleasure. It is often referred to as the “feel good” chemical.

Dopamine is released when we engage in pleasurable behaviors, such as eating delicious food or engaging in activities like exercise or sex. It reinforces these behaviors by creating a sense of pleasure and reward.

During addiction, dopamine plays a significant role in reinforcing drug use and cravings. Repeated drug use can lead to an increase in dopamine levels, resulting in a powerful association between drugs and pleasure.

2. Serotonin

Serotonin is another neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. It is often referred to as the “happiness” chemical.

Serotonin helps to regulate our mood and emotions and also plays a role in controlling impulsive behaviors.

Low levels of serotonin have been linked to increased impulsivity and depression, which are both risk factors for developing addiction. Drugs temporarily increase serotonin levels, creating a sense of happiness and pleasure. This can lead to repeated drug use in an attempt to maintain those feelings.

3. Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response. 

It also helps regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels.

Taking drugs increases norepinephrine levels in the brain, leading to heightened stress and arousal. This can contribute to addictive behaviors as individuals may continue using drugs to cope with these feelings.

Norepinephrine also plays a role in memory formation and learning, which can contribute to the development of addiction. 

4. Glutamate

Glutamate is a neurotransmitter involved in various brain functions, including learning, memory, and neural development.

It helps to facilitate communication between neurons, allowing us to process and store information.

Substances disrupt glutamate levels in the brain, leading to changes in learning and memory. This contributes to addictive behaviors as individuals may rely on drugs for these functions. 

5. GABA

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate the brain’s excitability and inhibits neural activity.

GABA inhibits or slows down nerve activity, helping us feel relaxed and calm.

When someone is addicted, the drugs interfere with the GABA levels, leading to changes in mood and anxiety levels. This contributes to addictive behaviors as individuals may use drugs to self-medicate these symptoms.

6. Endorphins

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and can produce feelings of pleasure.

They are released in response to stress or physical pain, helping to reduce discomfort and promote a sense of well-being.

The release of endorphins during drug use provides temporary relief from negative emotions or physical discomfort. This leads to repeated drug use as a means of managing these feelings.

7. Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement, learning, and memory. It also affects attention and arousal.

It helps to send messages between neurons, allowing for efficient communication within the brain.

Drugs disrupt acetylcholine function, leading to impairments in decision-making and impulse control. This can contribute to the development of addictive behaviors.

8. Glycine

Glycine is a neurotransmitter involved in regulating the brain’s inhibitory signals and motor coordination.

Drugs alter glycine levels, leading to changes in movement and cognitive function during addiction. This contributes to addictive behaviors as individuals may use drugs to alleviate these effects.

9. Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter involved in social bonding, trust, and empathy. 

This neurotransmitter promotes feelings of trust, empathy, and connection with others.

Individuals who struggle with addiction may have difficulty forming healthy relationships and may turn to drugs as a way to cope with feelings of loneliness or disconnection. Over time, this leads to dependence on drugs for social interaction.

10. Anandamide

This neurotransmitter interacts with the brain’s reward system and regulates mood and motivation. Imbalances have been linked to addiction and psychiatric disorders.

11. Dynorphins

Dynorphins are another type of opioid neurotransmitter with similar effects to endorphins.

It helps to regulate pain, stress, and emotions. Like endorphins, dynorphins play a role in the pleasurable effects of drugs. 

Chronic drug use results in changes to the dynorphin system, leading to negative emotional states and reinforcing addictive behaviors.

12. Vasopressin

Vasopressin is another neurotransmitter that regulates water balance and blood pressure. However, dysregulation has been linked to impulsive behaviors and addictive tendencies.

In addition to its physical effects, vasopressin contributes to our sense of motivation and reward.

Drugs increase levels of vasopressin, leading to increased levels of impulsivity and aggression. These changes in behavior can contribute to the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors.

What Are the Parts of the Brain Affected by Addiction?

The seven main parts of the brain affected by addiction are the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, amygdala, basal ganglia, hippocampus, cerebellum, and Ventral Tegmental Area, according to the NIH study titled “The Neurobiology of Substance Use, Misuse, and Addiction”: (Nov 2016).

The Prefrontal Cortex

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and self-awareness. Addiction can impair the function of this brain region, making it difficult for individuals to resist drug use. 

This area also experiences reduced blood flow in people with addiction, leading to poor impulse control and increased risk-taking behavior.

The Limbic System

The limbic system is a group of structures within the brain responsible for processing emotions and forming memories.

This part of the brain is crucial to our emotional responses and motivation. It helps us experience pleasure and reward and form memories associated with these experiences.

Addiction alters the functioning of the limbic system, leading to an increased desire for drugs or other substances. This part of the brain is also responsible for regulating stress and anxiety, and chronic drug use disrupts this process, making individuals more vulnerable to developing addiction.

The Amygdala

The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure located within the limbic system. It is responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression.

This part of the brain plays a crucial role in our emotional responses, including triggering the fight or flight response when faced with danger.

Chronic drug use leads to changes in the amygdala, making individuals more sensitive to stress and anxiety. This can also contribute to impulsive behaviors and increased risk-taking associated with addiction.

The Basal Ganglia

The basal ganglia are a group of structures located deep within the brain. They are responsible for motor control and reward-based learning.

The basal ganglia help us coordinate movement, regulate motivation and reinforce behaviors associated with pleasure or reward.

Addiction disrupts the functioning of the basal ganglia, leading to impaired motor control and an increased desire for drugs or other substances due to their rewarding effects. This contributes to cravings and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit using drugs.

The Hippocampus

The hippocampus is a curved structure located in the temporal lobe. It is responsible for forming memories and spatial navigation.

This part of the brain is crucial for learning and memory, as well as helping us navigate our environment.

Chronic drug use damages the hippocampus, leading to memory impairments and difficulty forming new memories. This also contributes to relapse in individuals attempting to quit using drugs, as they may struggle to remember the negative consequences associated with their addiction.

The Cerebellum

The cerebellum is a small structure located under the back of the brain. It is responsible for coordinating movement and balance.

This part of the brain helps us control our movements and maintain balance. It also plays a role in motor learning and coordination.

Addiction can disrupt the functioning of the cerebellum, leading to impaired coordination and balance. This can contribute to motor control issues and increased risk of accidents or injuries.

The Ventral Tegmental Area 

The Ventral Tegmental Area is a small region located within the midbrain. It is responsible for producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in reward-motivated behavior.

The VTA plays a crucial role in reinforcing behaviors associated with pleasure or rewards, such as drug use.

Chronic drug use causes changes in the VTA, leading to increased levels of dopamine release. This creates a powerful reward pathway in the brain, making it difficult for individuals to resist using drugs and contributing to the development of addiction.

What Leads to Addiction in the Brain?

Addiction in the brain is driven by changes in the brain’s reward system, specifically involving the neurotransmitter dopamine. When a person engages in a pleasurable activity, such as using drugs, eating, or gambling, the brain releases dopamine, which creates a sense of euphoria and satisfaction.

Over time, the repeated release of dopamine from the same activity causes the brain to adapt, requiring more substance or behavior to achieve the same level of pleasure. This leads to increased usage and can result in addiction as the brain craves the heightened dopamine levels.

Addiction also alters the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and judgment. Chronic exposure to addictive substances or behaviors weakens this region, impairing an individual’s ability to make rational decisions and resist the urge to engage in addictive behavior. 

This impairment makes it increasingly difficult for the person to stop, even when they recognize the harmful consequences.

Besides that, addiction involves the brain’s stress and anti-reward systems. Over time, the brain starts to rely on the addictive substance to feel normal, and without it, the person experiences stress, anxiety, and discomfort. 

This negative emotional state further drives the compulsive behavior, creating a vicious cycle of dependency and withdrawal. The interplay between the reward, prefrontal cortex, and stress systems in the brain makes addiction a complex and challenging condition to overcome.

How Do You Treat Your Brain From Addiction?

You can treat your brain from addiction through medical detoxification, behavioral therapy, counseling, support groups, lifestyle changes, mindfulness and stress management, professional help, and continued care, according to a UCLA Health article titled, “Taking a brain-health approach to addiction treatment,” by Sandy Cohen:9May 2013).

1. Medical Detoxification: The first step often involves detoxification under medical supervision to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone may be used to reduce cravings and withdrawal effects for substances such as opioids or alcohol.
2. Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely used to help individuals recognize, avoid, and cope with situations that might lead to drug use. It addresses the underlying thought patterns that contribute to addiction and helps develop healthier coping mechanisms.
3. Counseling: Individual, group, and family counseling provides emotional support and helps understand addiction’s root causes. These sessions foster communication, build self-esteem, and strengthen relationships, all of which are crucial for recovery.
4. Support Groups: Participating in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offers peer support and shared experiences. These groups follow a 12-step program that promotes long-term sobriety and personal growth.
5. Lifestyle Changes: Establishing a healthy routine that includes regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep can improve overall well-being and reduce the risk of relapse. Engaging in new hobbies and activities can also provide alternative sources of pleasure and fulfillment.
6. Mindfulness and Stress Management: Mindfulness meditation, yoga, and stress management techniques can help individuals stay present and manage cravings. These practices reduce stress, which is a common trigger for substance use.
7. Professional Help: Consulting with psychiatrists, psychologists, or addiction specialists can provide tailored treatment plans that address specific needs. This might include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), therapy, and ongoing support.
8. Continued Care: Long-term follow-up and aftercare are essential to prevent relapse. This might include ongoing therapy, regular check-ins with healthcare providers, and participation in alumni groups or continued support meetings.

Combining these approaches creates a robust framework for treating addiction, addressing both the physical dependence and the psychological aspects that sustain addictive behaviors. 

Can addiction physically change the structure of the brain?

Yes, addiction can physically change the structure of the brain. Repeated drug use can alter the levels of neurotransmitters and other chemicals in the brain, leading to changes in neuronal connections and even shrinking certain areas of the brain.

How does addiction impact decision-making in the brain?

Addiction heavily impacts decision-making in the brain by hijacking the reward system and creating intense cravings for the substance. This can lead to impaired judgment, impulsivity, and an inability to control impulses related to drug use.

What role does genetics play in addiction and the brain?

Genetics plays a significant role in addiction and the brain. Research has shown that genes can influence an individual’s susceptibility to developing addiction by affecting their response to drugs and how they process reward signals in the brain.

Are there long-term effects on the brain from addiction?

Yes, there are long-term effects on the brain from addiction. Chronic drug use leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain that may persist even after a person stops using. This results in cognitive impairments, mood disorders, and other physical and mental health issues.

How long will your brain take to recover from addiction?

The duration of recovery from addiction varies for each person as it depends on multiple factors, such as the type and severity of addiction, individual physiology, environmental influences, and support systems. In general, the longer an individual has been addicted, the longer it may take for their brain to recover.