Addiction to Gambling Could Be Treated Using Psychedelics
Addiction refers to a condition in which an individual is not able to stop engaging in a behavior or using a substance. Gambling addiction is a behavioral addiction that stimulates the reward system of the brain, much as alcohol and drugs do. This addiction is often treated using behavioral therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, which replaces unhealthy and irrational beliefs with positive, healthy ones. Now, researchers at the Center for Psychedelic Research are using brain imaging to understand behavioral addictions such as gambling and discover new approaches to treat these addictions. They are particularly focused on psychedelic treatments, given the…