Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a remarkable therapeutic innovation that has restored the lives of many individuals with intractable neurological disorders. Nowhere is this more evident than in crippling…
Implanted electrodes can alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and help treat addiction.
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Neurological disorders can have a devastating impact on the lives of sufferers and their families.
Symptoms of these disorders differ extensively – from motor dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease, memory…
Many of us feel that our internet use verges on problematic but this is different to addiction.
justingaynor
MATTERS OF THE MIND – a series which examines the clinician’s bible for diagnosing mental disorders, the DSM, and the controversy surrounding the forthcoming fifth edition.
The term “addiction” is conspicuously…
It’s going to be a night to remember … or maybe not.
Sterneck
Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a fairly new “party” drug that has exploded in popularity over the last few years. On the street, it has a variety of names: Drone, M-Cat, Bubbles, Meow. It’s also…
Neuroscientists are making great strides in addiction studies, even with a limited access to drugs.
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By Jhodie Duncan, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Criminalisation of many drugs of abuse has done little to deter their use. Recent estimates tell us nearly one in 20 individuals aged between 15 and 64 are experimenting with illicit drug use worldwide…
The fact a pleasurable behaviour is done to excess does not necessarily mean it’s an addiction.
PhotoCatcher
I am a Warcraft widow, an affectionate term given to those who have “lost” a partner to World of Warcraft (WoW) as a result of excessive game-playing.
I have first-hand experience of the way games such…
GPs have a greater role to play in screening and treating problem gambling.
AAP
The Greens yesterday released the party’s problem gambling discussion paper. The paper advocates, among other things, for general practitioners to play a greater role in screening and treating problem…
Long term cannabis use has been known to harm the brain but new research shows some of this damage was there to begin with.
Wiros
Cannabis remains the most commonly consumed illicit drug in the world, with more than a third of Australians reporting that they have used it at some point in their lives.
This is despite growing evidence…
Addicts have choices, but those choices might be severely constrained.
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By Neil Levy, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Welcome to part four of On the brain, a Conversation series by people whose job it is to know as much as there is to know about the body’s most complex organ. Here, Neil Levy, Head of Neuroethics at Florey…
Susceptibility to addiction can be seen as a form of Russian Roulette.
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By Andrew J. Lawrence, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Welcome to part three of On the brain, a Conversation series by people whose job it is to know as much as there is to know about the body’s most complex organ. Here, Professor Andrew J. Lawrence, the Florey…
Could “antiusability” be incorporated into gaming machines?
awwstin
GAMBLING IN AUSTRALIA – Addiction to gaming machines (or “pokies”) is of growing concern in Australian society. In Victoria alone there are 30,000 of these hi-tech poker machines with many in suburban…
Sadly, there’s no magic button to stop excessive gambling.
Mick Tsikas/AAPimage
GAMBLING IN AUSTRALIA – Why do some people develop gambling addictions while others can dabble for years at the pokies or the track without issue?
The Productivity Commission’s 2010 report on gambling…
Matter of fact, I got it now… porn is more accessible than ever.
K. Kendall/flickr
There are several myths regarding what constitutes “porn addiction”.
Some argue that, like alcohol problems, porn addiction is a disease. Once trapped, the consumer of porn will hit rock bottom with no…
Although banned from sale in Australia, e-cigarettes are readily available online.
AAP
On a recent long-haul flight, with very limited movie options, I watched the Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp movie The Tourist (two thumbs firmly down).
A particular scene on a train to Venice did catch…
