Connecticut Certification Board
Connecticut Certification Board
Dopamine: Brain, Body, Behavior
Dopamine: Brain, Body, Behavior
Dopamine: Brain, Body, Behavior
Monday 26th January 2026
Dr. Erin Calipari explains dopamine's role in addiction and learning, debunking myths and revealing complex truths about brain behaviour.
39 minutes
Informative
Eye-opening
Inspiring
Educational
Honest
About this podcast
Author:
Connecticut Certification Board
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Family Recovery from Addiction
Recovery from Trauma
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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Get the buttons here!Rethinking Dopamine: Beyond Pleasure to Addiction's Core
Episode Overview
- Dopamine plays a crucial role in learning and attention, not just pleasure.
- Addiction is a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and personal factors.
- Understanding context is vital in recognising stressors that affect addiction.
- The brain's dopamine system can be reshaped by drug use, impacting learning.
- Personalised approaches are necessary for effective addiction treatment.
Dopamine isn't just about pleasure; it's about paying attention to what's important.
How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction? Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of those who have faced addiction head-on in this episode of 'Scope of Practice.' Dr. Erin Calipari, Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, joins the discussion to clear up common misconceptions about dopamine and its role in addiction and learning. Known as the brain's reward molecule, dopamine is often misunderstood, leading to a swirl of pop psychology myths. Dr.
Calipari debunks these myths by explaining how dopamine actually functions in our brains, not just as a pleasure neurotransmitter but as a crucial component in learning and adapting to our environment. The conversation touches on how drugs can hijack this system, reshaping how individuals perceive and learn about their surroundings, which is a key factor in addiction.
You'll also hear about how addiction is not a one-size-fits-all condition, but rather a complex interplay of various factors including genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and individual experiences. Dr. Calipari sheds light on the importance of context in understanding addiction, highlighting that what might be a stressor in one setting could be entirely different in another. Listeners are invited to reflect on how these insights could apply to their own lives or the lives of those they know.
The episode is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in the science behind addiction, making it an essential listen for professionals and laypeople alike. So, are you ready to rethink what you know about dopamine and addiction?