The Addictive Brain

Date: 2:24 pm | Saturday 8 October 2011

Venue: Elder Hall

Why are so many drugs addictive? If we know they are bad for us, why do we so often come back for more? On the other hand, consider the possibility of drugs that safely enhance brain power. Would you give them to your kids? How would their production and distribution be regulated? Would it make any difference if they were addictive? What can we learn from the study of current drugs that affect brain activity and the companies that market them?

The social impact of drugs of addiction, both legal and illegal, is enormous. Many have serious negative consequences on users and the people around. However, not all drugs are necessarily harmful, and some may even improve our cognitive abilities.