Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute are developing a vaccine that keeps addicts from experiencing the heroin high. The vaccine was recently proven effective on non-human primates, making it the first vaccine against an opioid to ever do so.
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Why do some cocaine users become addicts while others don’t? One popular theory attributes it to poor judgement. However the accidental creation of a cocaine-resistant mouse suggests otherwise – that for some people, drug addiction might be wired into their genes.
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If you've ever tried to get a lab rat off of heroin, then you'll know that it can be very difficult – the narcotic is notoriously addictive. However, scientists have recently reported success in using deep brain stimulation to reduce addicted rats' compulsion to take the drug.
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A new study suggests that belief about nicotine content in cigarettes can influence cravings and brain activity in chronic smokers.
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Researchers have discovered that deactivating neurons in the brains of alcohol-dependent rats completely stopped compulsive drinking behavior. While the usual caveats around animal research apply, the study offers hope that drug therapy might one day help people gain control over alcoholism.
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The health benefits of quitting smoking are huge, but actually doing so can be extremely difficult. Recently, scientists have been working to develop vaccines to help people in the effort, and it's looking fairly promising, with a new treatment proving effective in tests on laboratory mice.
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Researchers have uncovered an enzyme found in nature they say could greatly improve on the effectiveness of smoking cessation aids by devouring nicotine in smokers before it can deliver its "reward" to the brain.
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Putting lingering memories of meth addiction to rest is a difficult task for former users. But through a new method that can safely erase these drug-associated memories, one team of researchers is hopeful of giving addicts the tools they need to stave off the devastating drug.
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MIT researchers have discovered that the pathways of the brain responsible for sugar addiction may differ from those which govern drug addiction and healthy eating, which could be a boon for studies and treatment of compulsive eating and obesity.
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If you're a smoker who's trying to quit, you may recall hearing about vaccines designed to cause the body's immune system to treat nicotine like a foreign invader. Scientists at the Scripps Institute are claiming that their vaccine should work better, by being more selective in what it targets.
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