TIME The Science of Addiction Magazine (Digital Version)

The U.S. is a nation of addictions, large and small. Close to 40 million Americans smoke; nearly 1 of every 8 adults is addicted to alcohol; and the sudden and spiraling epidemic of opioid addiction took 47,000 American lives in 2017 alone. People are hooked on gambling, video games, sex, shopping, smartphones, food and Tinder. Once considered a moral failing, addiction today is largely acknowledged as a disease. Now, this new special edition examines how science is seeking to curb the cravings and help Americans kick the habit. Explore the neuroscience of pleasure to better understand just what’s happening when we feel great. Learn how addiction disrupts pathways and processes that underlie desire, learning, emotional regulation, and cognition. Consider how brain vulnerabilities caused by genetics, trauma and stress can increase the risk of becoming addicted. And examine promising new therapies, including under-the-skin implants for recovering alcoholics and treating cocaine addicts with electromagnetic pulses to the brain. Understanding and moderating pleasure is at the heart of being healthy and happy and never has it been more urgent or challenging a time to do so.