How the Brain Balances Reward and Consequences (E70)

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Gill discusses the balance between how we believe alcohol is benefitting us and the consequences it's bringing to our lives. This balance is what helps moderate drinkers know when to stop, but sometimes this balance can be disrupted and the negative consequences just don’t seem to be that bad. In this episode you’ll learn about how the brain balances reward and consequences, and some ways this balance can be disrupted to increase the risk of developing a problem with alcohol.

What to listen to next:
E54: Neuroplasticity and Using Alcohol to Escape or Numb Out
E68: How Alcohol Abuse Changes the Way We Make Decisions
E55: How to Power Through When You Want to Give Up
E30: Gray Area Drinkers (and positive alcohol expectancies)

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Sources

1. Myrick, H. et al. Differential brain activity in alcoholics and social drinkers to alcohol cues: relationship to craving. Neuropsychopharmacology 29, 393–402 (2004).

1. Siciliano, C. A Cortical-Brainstem Circuit Predicts and Governs Compulsive Alcohol Drinking. Science. 1008-1012. 2019.

Cite this episode

Tietz, G. Episode 70: How the Brain Balances Reward and Consequences. Sober Powered. 2021.

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