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The Addictive Brain
- Narrated by: Thad A. Polk
- Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
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The Addictive Brain
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Publisher's Summary
Addiction is a problem that affects everyone - even if we haven't experienced addiction ourselves, we all know someone who has. Unfortunately many sources of information about addiction seem inaccessible or irrelevant because they present vague or false science, they present accurate science in an excessively complicated way, or they are more moralistic than informative.
Addiction is sometimes viewed as a failure of character or will or morality. But neuroscience offers a very different picture - one that can inform how we, as individuals and as a society, treat addicts and the problems caused by addiction. These 12 eye-opening lectures will show you that addiction is a scientifically understandable problem that has its origins in neurobiology and genetics.
The Addictive Brain is a fair and balanced investigation of addiction, backed by hard science and behavioral science. Most of us have probably seen the old antidrug commercial in which an actor compares your brain on drugs to an egg sizzling in a hot frying pan. That's a powerful image, but it doesn't tell us what actually happens when drugs enter your body and interact with neurochemical processes.
Professor Polk gives you a comprehensive but concise survey of addiction and the major drugs of abuse, highlighting the differing neurological effects of stimulants, opioids, and more. He also delves into the world of behavioral addictions, such as gambling and compulsive video gaming, which, neurologically, operate very similarly to drug addiction. This course will clearly and compassionately inform you on what addiction means scientifically, socially, and behaviorally.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners love about The Addictive Brain
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- jan
- 2021-01-25
very informative
This is a great listen if you want to really understand how addiction works. The narrator was great and kept me interested the whole time. I definitely look at addiction in a different way now, and I think anyone who hasn't struggled with it personally should give it a listen also. Especially if you're in the field of mental health and addiction support. If you've Never experienced addiction it's hard to help others who are. This course will give the knowledge that every stereotypical, uneducated person needs if they're interested in understanding the brain of an addict.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Grantie
- 2022-10-22
limited outlook
Although he looked at several addictions and found things they all had in common, he did very poorly differentiating addictions effect on an individual or society. I believe some addictions are worse than others.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Emma David
- 2022-10-20
Very informative book
Definitely learned a lot about addiction from this book. The pace was a little slow so I did speed it up but would recommend to anyone interested in learning about more the topic. Not just drug addiction but video game, porn, alcohol addiction is also covered in this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bombersmama
- 2020-03-20
excellent book!
Great book for anyone who works with people with addictions or is affected by this with a loved one.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Justin
- 2018-06-14
Never disappointed! Fantastic course
This really was one of the best courses provided by the Great Courses. Thank you for sharing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- marilyn popko
- 2015-03-16
Excellent.
I've been a psychotherapist for over 30 years. I've been studying and thinking about this stuff for over 40 years. This guy has a clarity that is admirable and a slant on the material that is novel. I never read or listen to books more than once any more. This one made me think. I WILL listen to it again.
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185 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Charles
- 2015-03-28
Great book for anyone
I have a family member who has a major addiction problem and was listening to this to better understand that person. I walked away understanding myself far better. Very very fascinating book if you are an inquisitive person. It's like a feast of interesting information that applies to yourself whether it's behavioral addiction or a medical addiction. Cool course.
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105 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Valerie M. Jones
- 2017-01-07
I did not want to listen to these lectures
Because I didn't want to give up drinking. But it did a great job of explaining the neurological reasons for all kinds of addictions. I've heard about the alcoholic gene since childhood from my worried mother. but the professor's presentation is clear, fascinating and totally nonjudgmental. He has an engaging personality and obvious curiosity that make complex science digestible. If you are trying to quit anything, listen to this. Let your brain help you heal your brain.
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88 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- udidit
- 2015-03-24
Enlightening and absorbing.
This course exceeded my expectations and has given me insight into understanding the problems and difficulties of those trying to recover from addictions of any kind. I am inspired to listen to it again as it has equipped me to grasp the reasons why recovery from addiction, of many kinds, is so seemingly impossible for some sufferers and knowing what I now know I can be support with confidence and genuine hope. Thank you .
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86 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Jason Como
- 2016-09-23
Wonderful start to understanding the neuroscience behind the most destructive behaviors of our time
As a family physician that works in an inner city urban clinic I deal with the consequences of obesity, alcoholism, tobacco, diabetes, violence, and even pornography. When I was in medical school we learned about these as problems but did not learn about the neural pathways of the addiction reward system that impact or directly buttress them.
Dr. Polk does an amazing job of filling in the back story of many of the main behavioral problems we see in primary care. He is fascinating and keeps your attention throughout.
It also would be good for any person seeking better understandings of their addictions/cravings in hopes of renewing the attitudes of their minds. So for me the education had a dual purpose.
He simplifies the basic addiction reward circuits in the brain which can help even a lay person to understand and explain things like tolerance, craving/wanting, and liking/pleasure.
Five stars!!!
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60 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Alifa
- 2015-06-20
The addictive brain
A wonderful and informative overview of addiction that covers drugs like opiates, amphetamines, alcohol and nicotine, as well as compulsive behaviors like gambling. Not only did I learn a vast amount about the neurological implications of addiction, I became more sensitive to the struggles of addicts to change their behavior. An excellent investment of my time.
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51 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Kyle P. Martin
- 2015-05-12
Biology of Addictions
Good course. The lectures are given mostly from the perspective of biology or physiology, but also touches on the psychology of it. Presented well, but I was hoping for more a more in depth look at gambling, pornography, and video games. Ironically, these 3 things he covers only briefly at the very end of the course. That being said, it's still a great course about why people become addicted.
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44 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Matthew Bukovicky
- 2015-04-27
Very interesting and in depth
His was an extraordinary in depth study of the brain, substances and how everything interacted with each other. Wonderful course to listen too. Also offers nice tips on how to combat certain types of addiction.
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43 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous
- 2015-07-26
Excellent review of the underlying mechanics of all addictions
An intuitive and principled discussion of the physiological and psychological mechanisms of all addictions from overeating, gambling and porn to alcohol and opioids. Treatment by drugs and psychiatry are discussed.
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33 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 2015-03-14
Heroin, Cocaine, Caffeine and Video Games!
Would you consider the audio edition of The Addictive Brain to be better than the print version?
N/A
What did you like best about this story?
This Great Course lecture gave me a lot of interesting biological and scientific research about addiction.
Have you listened to any of Professor Thad A. Polk, Ph.D.’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have listened to many Great Courses. I found Dr. Polk's delivery to be clear and very informed. He has no annoying vocal ticks and he speaks enthusiastically.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I was quite fascinated as Dr. Polk explained just how several drugs from caffeine to heroin affected the human brain. He explained exactly how a variety of drugs interact with our bodies and how addictions form.
Any additional comments?
This Great Course gives a lot of information in only six hours.
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29 people found this helpful