The path to addiction leads to changes in behavior AND brain chemistry.

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Drugs hijack the brains natural reward system.

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Scientists have collected evidence that the reward circuit is responsible for the pleasurable properties of drugs.

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A neuron is specialized to send and receive signals.

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Electrical signals within a neuron are converted to chemical signals to cross the gap between neurons. 

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Most drugs affect multiple neurotransmitters 

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Scientists measure dopamine in different ways, but they have found that all drugs act on dopamine neurons. 

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All addictive drugs affect dopamine signals.

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Drugs hijack dopamine signals in different ways.

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Repeated drug use leads to long-term changes in the brain.

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The path to addiction leads to changes in behavior AND brain chemistry.

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