Neuroscience

© USDAgov

Male fruit flies that couldn't get any sex drink far more alcohol than sexually satisfied male fruit flies. Researchers say that variations in levels of a chemical called neuropeptide F explain the difference and that humans also make use of a very similar brain chemical.

• Binge Eating: Binge Eating Primes Brain for Drug Addiction
• Neuroscience of Alcohol Abuse: Heavy Drinkers Less Worried about Risk
• Food Addiction: NIDA Backs the Idea of Food Addiction

© JD Hancock

Looking for a way to control your pain without resorting to addictive opiates? Well, researchers say you might as well start by putting on some of your favorite music, because in one recent study, listening to music actually reduced sensations of pain.

© Kayintveen

Research suggests that music therapy reduces cancer related anxiety and some pain.

• Changed Lifestyle: Michael Douglas Beats Cancer
• Breast Cancer: Critics Question Alcohol Company's Sponsorship of Breast Cancer Research
• Breast Cancer: Girls Who Drink Alcohol Increase Their Risk of Breast Cancer

© USACE Europe District

Researchers at The Scripps Institute say they’ve got an experimental heroin vaccine in the works, and based on the results of animal testing experiments, it looks like it just might work.

• Heroin : The Addiction Treatment Lessons of Vietnam
• Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan Struggled with Heroin Addiction
• Patient Admissions: Alcoholism Treatment Rates Down, Drug Treatment Up

© Funky64

Researchers in Ohio say it’s not only our lungs that suffer as urban skies grow hazier – Intelligence and happiness are also at risk.

• Depression: Researchers Say Nature Eases Depression
• Adolescent Depression: MDMA and Amphetamines up Teen Depression Odds
• Social Anxiety: Teens: Blogging to Beat Social Anxiety

© Brandon Christopher Warren

Researchers at Florida State University say that animals which form long term adult pair relationships get much less reward from amphetamine than unpaired (single) animals.

• Legal Highs: Designer Drugs Sold Legally as ‘Bath Salts’
• Poll: Do you consider substance abuse to be your biggest problem?

© Mariela M.

Researchers have long known that a healthy diet, exercise and mental stimulation into older age all protect the brain from dementia and Alzheimer’s, and now based on the results of some research coming out of Newcastle University in the UK – they may have to add the regular consumption of green tea to that list of protective factors.

• Dementia: Quit Smoking Now to Beat Dementia Later?

© peasap

Italian researchers say that chronic heavy drinking shortens telomeres, a part of our DNA that serves as a ‘biological clock’ for aging.

• Binge Drinking Medications: Binge Drinkers on Kudzu Root Drink Less
• Alcohol Abuse Medications: Varenicline Helps Heavy Drinkers Cut Down
• Brief Interventions: To Cut Down, Record Your Daily Drinks

© Capsicina

Children who can’t sleep well suffer from overtiredness and impulse control problems. These children tend to start experimenting with drugs and alcohol at an earlier age and are at greater risk of substance abuse problems in early adulthood.

• Addiction: Native Canadians Offered Addiction Treatment or Eviction!
• Indoor Tanning: Indoor Tanning Proved Addictive
• Melanie Grifith: Melanie Griffith Overcomes Addiction

© Tobyotter

Researchers say that eating too much junk food can lead to changes in the brain similar to what is seen in drug addicts. They say this helps to explain compulsive and unhealthy eating at the neurochemical level.

• Obesity: NHS Fights Obesity with Talking Plates
• Overweight Americans: Obesity on the Rise Says Report
• Obesity: Childhood Liver Disease Caused by Obesity on the Rise

© Massdistraction

Researchers discover that not only does Ritalin improve focus – it also quickens learning.

• ADHD: ADHD Most Likely to Cause School Drop Out
• Teens with ADHD More Likely to Get Addicted to the Internet
• Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Can’t Understand Emotions of Others

© Photo: Kyle May

Neuroscientists working to unlock the mysteries of the mind may provide military strategists with fertile material for new weapons development, says a report by leading scientists for the DIA

• Methadone: Military OKs Methadone Maintenance
• Pain Relief: Coming Soon - Strong, Non Addictive Pain Meds?
• Alcoholism: Sober Time Reverses Alcoholic Brain Damage

© Photo: Plasticrevolver

One in 5 scientists polled admitted to using performance enhancing drugs to increase mental ability.

• Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine Abuse Linked to Parkinson’s
• Urine Tests for Smart Drugs before University Exams – Coming Soon?
• SF Giants Ask Barry Bonds To Join Celebrations

© Photo: Gaetan Lee

Deep in your mind, in the area that sends out pleasure signals to the body, heroin and cigarettes seem to do pretty much the same thing.

• Tobacco: Tweens Get Addicted to Nicotine through Secondhand Smoke
• Cigarette Marketing: Many Still Believe 'Light' Cigarettes Are Less Harmful
• Nicotine Addiction: Teens Can't Tell When They're Getting Hooked On Cigarettes