Methodological issues

• What are the main issues with research on dopamine and addiction?

  • small sample sizes reduce reliability

  • artificial drug administration (e.g. nicotine inhalators ≠ smoking a cigarette)

  • lab conditions do not replicate real-world addiction (e.g. social influences, stress)
• Who criticised these methodological issues?

  • David Nutt et Al (2015)
• Why do these issues matter?

  • if the research does not accurately reflect real-world addiction, the findings may not be applicable to actual treatment and prevention strategies