Cracking Addiction

Meducate
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Seeking answers about addiction or supporting someone on the path to recovery? Welcome to Cracking Addiction, the podcast that empowers you with knowledge and hope. Hosted by Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Ferghal Armstrong, we explore the science of addiction, effective treatments, and inspiring recovery stories. Whether you're facing addiction, helping a loved one, or a professional seeking insights, this podcast is for you. Join us weekly for expert discussions on substance abuse, behavioral addictions, and their impact on lives. Subscribe now to become part of our healing community

  1. 13H AGO

    How Cravings Work: Limbic System vs Prefrontal Cortex - Addiction Basics EP3

    Addiction neuroscience explains why wanting to quit isn’t the same as being able to quit. Dopamine reshapes the brain’s reward system. In Episode 3 of Addiction Basics, we tackle one of the most painful and misunderstood questions in recovery: “If I truly want to stop… why can’t I?” The common myth is that addiction is a failure of willpower.The science tells a very different story. Addiction creates a functional imbalance between two major systems: The Limbic System – your fast, survival-driven reward circuitry The Prefrontal Cortex – your executive control and decision-making center Repeated dopamine surges strengthen the brain’s reward system, training it to treat substance use as a survival-level priority. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex — responsible for impulse control and long-term planning — becomes functionally weakened. When stress, emotional triggers, or environmental cues appear: The limbic system activates rapidly Cravings intensify Executive function drops Control feels lost This is not weakness. It is neurobiology. 🧠 The Brain Conflict Behind Addiction

    7 min
  2. Dopamine and Addiction: The Science of Cravings - Addiction Basics EP2

    FEB 12

    Dopamine and Addiction: The Science of Cravings - Addiction Basics EP2

    Addiction neuroscience explained. Dopamine, cravings, brain recovery, and neuroplasticity — backed by research.If you’ve ever wondered how addiction works in the brain, this is the science most people never hear.Addiction is not about pleasure. It’s about dopamine-driven learning, reward prediction error, and long-term changes in the brain’s reward system.In this evidence-based breakdown, Dr Ferghal Armstrong explains: 🧠 How Addiction Rewires the BrainThe real role of dopamine in addiction How the nucleus accumbens strengthens habit loops Why cues trigger cravings before conscious choice ⚠️ The 3 Brain Changes in Addiction Cue sensitisation and trigger amplification Reduced response to natural rewards (dopamine tolerance) Prefrontal cortex impairment and weakened impulse control 🔄 Brain Recovery and Neuroplasticity What brain imaging studies show after abstinence How dopamine transporter levels normalise Why recovery takes months — but is measurable This video covers: Addiction neuroscience, dopamine explained, reward system function, executive control, relapse science, cognitive behavioural therapy, brain healing after drugs, and neuroplasticity recovery. If you are researching addiction recovery, studying neuroscience, supporting someone in recovery, or simply want to understand how cravings work, this video provides clarity without stigma. Recovery is not a motivational theory.It’s a measurable brain change. Subscribe to MedHeads for evidence-based medical education and brain science explained clearly.

    6 min

  3. FEB 6

    Addiction Is a Brain Disorder, Not a Character Flaw - Addiction Basics EP1

    Addiction isn’t a failure of willpower — it’s a brain disorder.And misunderstanding that fact has cost millions of people their recovery.In Part 1 of this 10-part series, you’ll finally understand what addiction really is — and why telling someone to “just stop” is about as effective as telling a diabetic to make more insulin.For decades, addiction has been treated as a moral flaw. But modern neuroscience tells a very different story.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why addiction is officially classified as a chronic relapsing brain diseaseHow addictive substances hijack the brain’s survival circuitryWhy dopamine floods make drugs feel more important than food, connection, or safetyHow repeated use physically changes brain structure and functionWhy stress dramatically increases relapse riskAnd why willpower alone almost always fails — even in highly motivated peopleYou’ll also learn why relapse rates in addiction mirror those of diabetes and hypertension, and what that means for long-term recovery.This episode lays the foundation for the entire series. If you misunderstand addiction at this level, everything else — treatment, recovery, and relapse — stops making sense.By the end, you’ll walk away with:A stigma-free, science-based understanding of addictionA new way to think about recovery that actually worksAnd the clarity needed to support yourself or someone you love👉 This is Episode 1 of a 10-part evidence-based series on addiction, recovery, and brain health.Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode — where we’ll break down how addiction starts long before substances ever enter the picture.

    5 min
  4. Smoking During Recovery Might Be Your Biggest Mistake

    JAN 28

    Smoking During Recovery Might Be Your Biggest Mistake

    What if quitting smoking is the fastest way to strengthen addiction recovery? That sounds backwards… but the science says otherwise. For decades, addiction treatment has repeated the same advice: deal with cigarettes later. But groundbreaking research reveals that this approach may be quietly sabotaging long-term recovery. In this episode, you uncover surprising new evidence showing that people who quit smoking during recovery had a 30% higher chance of sustained remission from other substance use disorders. That’s not a small improvement—it’s a game-changing shift in how recovery should be approached.In this video, you’ll discover: Why smoking is deeply wired into addiction rituals How nicotine affects the same brain systems as drugs and alcohol Why quitting cigarettes can strengthen recovery instead of overwhelming it The overlooked reason smoking causes more deaths than drugs in people with addiction How stopping smoking builds confidence, momentum, and long-term success This isn’t about willpower or guilt. It’s about using science to recover smarter. If you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or working in healthcare, this episode will challenge what you think you know—and give you a powerful new tool to improve outcomes.

    3 min
  5. They never told us benzos do this to your brain

    JAN 21

    They never told us benzos do this to your brain

    These drugs calm your brain—but what if they’re silently increasing your stroke risk? For decades, benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax were seen as safe, even neuroprotective. Doctors believed that by calming overexcited brain cells, these medications might actually help during a stroke. That assumption shaped years of prescribing habits. But the science has changed—and the new data is disturbing. In this episode, you’ll uncover emerging research that links benzodiazepines and Z-drugs to increased stroke risk, dangerous falls, pneumonia, and even higher death rates after stroke. Even more concerning? These risks don’t just affect the elderly—they show up in younger adults, too. ⚠️ What you’ll learn in this video: Why the original “brain-protective” theory behind benzodiazepines may be wrong The shocking stroke risk seen in long-term benzo users Why dose and duration matter more than most doctors realise What happens when benzodiazepines are given after a stroke Why falls, fractures, and pneumonia skyrocket in hospitalized patients What to do without stopping suddenly or putting yourself at risk This isn’t fear-mongering. Benzodiazepines have legitimate medical uses. But they are not the harmless medications we once believed, especially when it comes to stroke and recovery. If you—or someone you care for—uses anxiety medications, sleep aids, or sedatives, this is information you can’t afford to ignore.

    3 min
  6. Is Any Amount of Alcohol Actually Safe? The Science Says No

    JAN 14

    Is Any Amount of Alcohol Actually Safe? The Science Says No

    For decades, alcohol has enjoyed a surprising reputation as a health booster—especially red wine. You’ve heard the claims: stronger hearts, longer life, protection against dementia. But when you dig into the actual science, the story falls apart fast. In this episode, you’ll discover why many of the studies praising moderate drinking were built on a critical flaw—they compared drinkers to the wrong people. So-called “non-drinkers” often included sick quitters: people who had already stopped drinking because their health was declining. That single mistake distorted decades of public health advice. Using modern methods like Mendelian randomisation, newer research strips away the illusion. Instead of a protective effect, the data show a clear, linear relationship: 👉 more alcohol = higher dementia risk 👉 more alcohol = higher cancer risk 👉 more alcohol = measurable brain shrinkage You’ll learn: Why the famous J-shaped curve was misleading What alcohol actually does to your brain and hippocampus How even “low-risk” drinking increases long-term harm The updated Canadian alcohol guidelines—and why they shocked experts What to do if you drink now (and why less really is better) If you care about brain health, longevity, or evidence-based medicine, this episode will completely change how you think about alcohol.

    4 min
  7. The Truth About Kava: Benzodiazepine Effects Nobody Explains

    JAN 7

    The Truth About Kava: Benzodiazepine Effects Nobody Explains

    In this episode, we explore "kava kava," a traditional Pacific plant with anxiolytic effects similar to low-dose benzodiazepines. We discuss its active compounds, kavalactones, and how they contribute to "anxiety relief" and muscle relaxation without significant dependence risks. Understanding how this plant works offers important insights into natural "stress relief" and self-management techniques for "mental health," touching on broader implications for "addiction."

    4 min
  8. The Brain Pattern That Shows Addiction Risk Years in Advance

    JAN 1

    The Brain Pattern That Shows Addiction Risk Years in Advance

    Can a brain scan predict addiction risk BEFORE first use? 🚨 Most people think substances change the brain after experimentation.But this episode flips the script.In Cracking Addiction, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong breaks down new MRI research suggesting some kids show brain-based vulnerability years before alcohol, cannabis, or cigarettes enter the picture .✅ What you’ll learn:• Why “bigger brain” doesn’t automatically mean “better” • The impulse-control regions that may signal higher risk • What this means for parents (hint: hope + early skills, not fear) • Why addiction is a brain-based condition, not a character flaw 👉 Watch the episode now, then comment: Do you think prevention should start BEFORE the teen years? 🔔 Subscribe for more neuroscience-backed addiction insights.

    4 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Seeking answers about addiction or supporting someone on the path to recovery? Welcome to Cracking Addiction, the podcast that empowers you with knowledge and hope. Hosted by Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Ferghal Armstrong, we explore the science of addiction, effective treatments, and inspiring recovery stories. Whether you're facing addiction, helping a loved one, or a professional seeking insights, this podcast is for you. Join us weekly for expert discussions on substance abuse, behavioral addictions, and their impact on lives. Subscribe now to become part of our healing community

Information

  • Creator
    Meducate
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    232
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Meducate
  • Show Website
    Cracking Addiction

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