How Does Addiction Develop? Rainer Spanagel on the WELT Podcast “Aha!”

Why do some people develop an addiction – and what happens in the brain when control over substance use is increasingly lost? Rainer Spanagel, spokesperson of TRR 265, discusses these questions in a recent episode of WELT’s science podcast “Aha! Zehn Minuten Alltags-Wissen”.

In the interview, he explains how alcohol, nicotine and cannabis, as well as behaviours such as gaming or social media use, affect the brain’s reward system. Particular attention is given to the role of dopamine, changes in the brain’s control mechanisms, and the question of why some individuals are more vulnerable to developing an addiction than others. The episode also addresses opportunities for early intervention and the potential of digital support tools.

The podcast provides a concise and accessible introduction to key questions in modern addiction research and addresses topics that are also at the core of the research conducted within TRR 265.

Listen to the full podcast episode on WELT:“Wie entsteht eine Sucht?” – WELT Podcast