Wanting vs Liking: Why Addiction Isn't About Pleasure | Dr. Kent Berridge

Dr. Kent Berridge spent 40 years at the University of Michigan asking why people keep chasing things that stopped making them happy. He's the neuroscientist who discovered that dopamine isn't pleasure, it's wanting, and his research changed how addiction science understands craving.

Richard sits down with Berridge to break down the wanting versus liking theory, why some people develop sensitized cravings and others don't, and why a smell, a street, or a song can trigger an urge years after someone gets sober. Richard brings 25 years of his own recovery experience to test the science in real time. They cover genetics and vulnerability, GLP-1 medications and craving reduction, why people tend to gravitate toward one substance over another, and what Berridge's rat studies reveal about how the brain assigns addiction to a specific target.

A conversation for anyone trying to understand the neuroscience behind compulsive behavior, whether it shows up as substance use, food, gambling, or something else entirely.

If you or someone you love is dealing with substance use, One Call Placement can help you find the right resource. Call (888) 831-1581.

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