Addiction is a modern plague

In this podcast episode, Dr. Anna Lemke discusses how addiction has become a significant problem in the modern world. She highlights that addiction has always existed, but increasing abundance and the advent of new drugs and behaviors have made addiction more prevalent. She explores the various forms of addiction, including substance abuse and behavioral addictions like gambling, and emphasizes that addiction is not solely limited to ingesting substances. Dr. Lemke explains that addiction involves a change in the brain's pleasure and reward circuit, with dopamine playing a crucial role in reinforcing addictive behaviors. Additionally, she discusses the negative impact of addiction on individuals' lives and society as a whole, emphasizing the importance of addressing addiction collectively.