The Science of Addiction

The human brain is the most complex organ in our body. It is made up of many parts that all work together as a team. Different parts of the brain coordinate and perform specific functions. Drug addiction can alter important areas of our brain that are necessary for life-sustaining functions and can drive the compulsive drug abuse that marks addiction.
 
Our brain is a communications centre consisting of billions of neurons, or nerve cells. Networks of neurons pass messages back and forth to different structures within our brain, spinal column and peripheral nervous system. These nerve networks coordinate and regulate everything we feel, think, and do. The messages are carried between neurons by chemicals called neurotransmitters.
 
There are two neurotransmitters in particular that are profoundly affected by addiction: dopamine and serotonin.

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