Abstract
In this chapter, we briefly review the basic biology of psychological stress and the stress response. We propose that psychological stress and the neurobiology of the stress response play in substance use initiation, maintenance, and relapse. The proposed mechanisms for this include, on the one hand, the complex interactions between biological mediators of the stress response and the dopaminergic reward system and, on the other hand, mediators of the stress response and other systems crucial in moderating key addiction-related behaviors such as endogenous opioids, the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system, and endocannabinoids. Exciting new avenues of study including genomics, sex as a moderator of the stress response, and behavioral addictions (gambling, hypersexuality, dysfunctional internet use, and food as an addictive substance) are also briefly presented within the context of stress as a moderator of the addictive process.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Progress in Brain Research |
Publisher | Elsevier B.V. |
Pages | 43-62 |
Number of pages | 20 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2016 |
Publication series
Name | Progress in Brain Research |
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Volume | 223 |
ISSN (Print) | 0079-6123 |
ISSN (Electronic) | 1875-7855 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2016 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords
- Addictive behaviors
- Addictive behaviors
- Cortisol
- Emotions
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis
- Relapse
- Stress
- Stress response pathways
- Sympathetic-adrenal-medullary response