Tag

Brain Reward

All articles tagged with #brain reward

health2 months ago•6 min saved

GLP-1 Diabetes Drugs Linked to Notable Drop in Addiction Rates

A UT El Paso study of more than 142,000 adults with type 2 diabetes or obesity found that GLP-1 medications (including Ozempic) were associated with substantially lower rates of several substance-use disorders—74% lower for alcohol, 69% for opioid, 68% for nicotine, and 75% for cocaine—compared with similar patients not on GLP-1s. Researchers caution that this is observational and not proof of prevention; randomized trials are needed, and the team plans prospective studies to see if GLP-1 therapy changes substance use and mental health outcomes.

via SciTechDaily|

#addiction #brain-reward #glp-1

health4 months ago•4 min saved

Processed Carbs, Not Taste: A New Take on Overeating

An op-ed argues that obesity isn’t driven mainly by how tasty foods are; instead, fast-digesting carbohydrates raise blood sugar quickly, triggering hunger and cravings, with brain-reward circuits (nucleus accumbens) activated after sugar spikes. Palatability influences what we eat, not how much, and targeting ultra-processed foods would be a blunt policy tool. The author urges focusing on processed carbohydrates to improve satiety and reduce cravings, suggesting it’s possible to enjoy foods—potentially even in a low-carb balance—without overeating.

via statnews.com|

#brain-reward #health #obesity

science6 months ago•4 min saved

Why hard work feels rewarding—and how climate extremes could boost malaria in Africa

The Nature Podcast explores why completing difficult tasks feels rewarding by detailing the brain’s dopamine-driven reward system (discussing Touponse et al.) and also examines how extreme weather events could raise malaria burden in Africa, linking climate fluctuations to challenges in malaria elimination.

via Nature|

#brain-reward #climate-change #dopamine