The evolutionary origins and significance of drug addiction
Open accessAbstract
By looking at drug addiction from an evolutionary perspective, we may understand its underlying significance and evaluate its three-fold nature: biology, psychology, and social influences. In this investigation it is important to delve into the co-evolution of mammalian brains and ancient psychotropic plants. Gaining an understanding of the implications of ancient psychotropic substance use in altering mammalian brains will assist in assessing the causes and effects of addiction in a modern-day context. By exploring addiction in this manner, we may move towards more effective treatment early prevention, treating the root of the issue rather than the symptoms.
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With regard to smoking or alcohol, evolutionary origins have been postulated for addiction, suggesting a co-evolution of the human brain, reward-seeking, and psychotropic substances.
“With regard to smoking or alcohol, evolutionary origins have been postulated for addiction, suggesting a co-evolution of the human brain, reward-seeking, and psychotropic substances [49].”
From Neandertal introgression partitions the genetic landscape of neuropsychiatric disorders and associated behavioral phenotypes (2022) · cites this paper as [49]
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- Authors
- Saah, T.
- Affiliations
- Stanford Medicine (US)
- Corresponding author
- Saah, Tammy
- Venue
- Harm Reduction Journal
- Published
- 2005-06-29
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 8-8
- ISSN
- 1477-7517 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC1174878
- OpenAlex
- W1782206456
- Cited by
- 77
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Harm Reduction Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- drug addiction, psychoactive plants, mammalian brain evolution, addiction treatment, addiction prevention
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