Nicotine withdrawal is often the biggest hurdle for people trying to quit smoking, yet we still don't fully understand how the brain's internal communication networks change when the drug is removed. Our latest research, published in eNeuro , used advanced whole brain imaging to reveal that nicotine withdrawal doesn't just affect one area; it triggers a massive reorganization of two major cholinergic systems that act as long range hotlines for brain communication. The Questio

The complexity of addiction is often hidden within the intricate wiring of our brains. In our latest book chapter, a collaboration with researchers at UC San Diego and Miami University, we dive deep into the specific circuits of the amygdala to understand how they drive the three stages of addiction: binge and intoxication, withdrawal and negative affect, and preoccupation and anticipation. The Question: How Do Amygdalar Circuits Drive Addiction? The amygdala is not a single

Anxiety is a powerful driver of drug addiction, yet many standard anti-anxiety medications are not currently used to treat substance use disorders. Our latest research explores how targeting the brain's stress systems might offer a new way to prevent and treat cocaine addiction. By using a common medication called propranolol, we found that we could not only prevent the transition into heavy cocaine use but also reduce the deep seated motivation to seek the drug. The Question