Exercise-Induced Neuroadaptations That Predispose to Addiction
by Erica Jiang
Category: Social Science
Abstract – Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder that involves compulsive seeking of a stimulant to feel euphoria, despite the adverse consequences. Anybody can fall into the trap of addiction, even the world’s top athletes. This research addresses certain neuroadaptations in the striatum of the brain that render elite athletes more vulnerable to addictive behavior, particularly because of an increased tolerance to dopamine (DA). Constant post-exercise increases in DA leads to tolerance and an elongated stress response, leading athletes to seek additional stimulation through risk-taking, often via the use and abuse of addictive substances.