What is the mesolimbic pathway, and how does it relate to addiction?
• a dopamine-based reward system in the brain
• addictive behaviours and substances trigger dopamine release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which then stimulates the nucleus accumbens (NAC), producing feelings of pleasure and reinforcing the behaviour
Why is the mesolimbic pathway considered maladaptive in addiction?
• this system evolved to reinforce survival behaviours like eating and social bonding, but in addiction, it reinforces harmful behaviours, naming then difficult to stop
What evidence supports the role of dopamine in addiction?
• Joutsa et Al (2012): found that gambling increased dopamine release, even when the outcome was a loss
• Boileau et al (2003): found that alcohol consumption leads to increased dopamine levels in the brain, reinforcing continued use
