Dr. Nora Volkow
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-07-09/dr-nora-volkow
Brain images showing decreased dopamine2 receptors in the brain of a person addicted to cocaine versus a nondrug user. The dopamine system is important for conditioning and motivation, and alterations such as this are likely responsible, in part, for the diminished sensitivity to natural rewards that develops with addiction.
Photo courtesy National Institutes of Health
Dr. Nora Volkow is the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health. She studies how drugs affect the human brain. A leading research psychiatrist and scientist, Volkow sees addiction as a disease, not a moral failing. Her research has also led her to discover parallels between substance abuse and obesity. For example, a person who overeats often experiences similar changes in brain activity and behavior as that of an addict. Volkow’s family history is as intriguing as her work: She is the great-granddaughter of Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky and grew up in the house where he was assassinated. Dr. Volkow talks about addiction and her efforts to cure it.
Guests
Dr. Nora Volkow
director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse of NIH
Comments
Please familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct and Terms of Use before posting your comments.
“Reality is just a crutch for people who can't handle drugs.”
― Robin P. Williams
“So, now I've been to see a drug counselor who told me I need to lay off the drugs and talk about my feelings, and a shrink who heard what I had to say and immediately put me on drugs.”
― Libba Bray, Going Bovine
“Federal and state laws (should) be changed to no longer make it a crime to possess marijuana for private use.”
― Richard Nixon
I think that it is dishonest to remove all moral responsibility with the use of the term "disorder". While it may be true that young brains may be more easily influenced by substances which make them more prone to addiction, we cannot simply appeal to changes in neurophysiology to explain away personal responsibility. I know of several people who have overcome addictions, and it takes building of character. And using the mind-as-brain reductionism argument, EVERYTHING that we are good at, intimately know, etc., has a "neural correlate". Are we now to claim some dualistic dichotomy, special to certain "disorders" (eg.: defiant oppositional "disorder", addiction, etc.) and claim that discipline has no effect on the development of the prefrontal cortex? Whether one calls it "morality" , meta-cognition, or what one may, it is a dangerous thing to omit this essential ingredient to recovery for many who seek it.
Wow, not only a fascinating interview on drug abuse, but also that Easter egg at the end about Dr. Volkow's relationship to Trotsky! Totally cool! :D
I heard more propoganda than evidence. Nicotine as a killer? It's the thing that is addictive, but not that which kills. The chemicals with the tobacco are the killers. Alcohol as a killer.... yes. Marijuana as a potential third killer? Absurd. Marijuana as addictive? How? Emotionally? Maybe. Physically? No. More probing questions were NOT asked. Too much emphasis was put on drug addiction and other addictions were not addressed, though there seemed to be much interest.
that was wonderful. Dr. Volkow is a fascinating person.