Pleasure Switch

According to Ian Dury’s 1970s funk single, sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll are all "very good indeed". His belief comes from how the three activities activate the brain's reward circuit – a neural pathway dictated by the chemical dopamine; the higher the level of dopamine, the greater the feelings of pleasure. To control this system, the brain also employs other circuits that in their default state prevent dopamine release. Interconnectivity of the dopamine system (in green) and the inhibition network (in red) is evident when viewed together (centre) within this reward circuit’s command centre. But drugs such as heroin, disable this brake, thus allowing dopamine to flood the system. This chemical influx, as with all drugs, is far quicker and stronger than natural rewards, leading to a hedonistic high that eclipses all natural rewards. So, while sex and rock 'n' roll may be very good, for an addict drugs are even better.

Written by Jan Piotrowski

Jan Piotrowski

Writer

A recent Imperial College graduate with a Masters in Science Communication, Jan now works as a freelance science communicator. His interests focus on neuroscience, psychology and the environment.

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• Image by Elyssa Margolis and others
• University of California San Francisco
• Originally published under a Creative Commons Licence (BY 3.0)
• Research published in PLOS One, July 2013