Arwen Podesta

Abstract

Addiction is increasingly recognized as a brain-based, bio-psycho-social disorder shaped by genetic and environmental interactions. The presentation Neurobiology of Addiction: Back to Basics examines how genetic predisposition, epigenetic regulation, brain circuitry, trauma, and lifestyle factors converge to influence susceptibility to addiction. Genetic studies show that heritable variations explain up to 60% of addiction vulnerability, largely through effects on dopamine, stress, and reward pathways. However, epigenetic mechanisms—such as DNA methylation and histone modification—mediate how trauma, chronic stress, and drug exposure alter gene expression, affecting impulse control and reward sensitivity across generations.

This talk explores how core neurobiological systems—particularly the mesolimbic reward and prefrontal control circuits—undergo molecular remodeling in response to both environmental stressors and drug-induced neuroadaptations. Additionally, nutritional status, inflammation, and metabolic health further modulate neuroplasticity, oxidative balance, and neurotransmitter synthesis, influencing addiction recovery potential.

By integrating data from neuroscience, genetics, and functional medicine, this session aims to reconnect clinicians with the biological foundations of addictive behavior while highlighting modifiable environmental factors. Attendees will gain an updated understanding of how genes, epigenetics, and lifestyle factors dynamically shape the addicted brain and how this insight informs prevention and integrative treatment strategies.

Audience take away from your presentation:

• Explain the genetic, epigenetic, and neurocircuitry mechanisms that underlie addiction vulnerability, including the roles of dopamine, stress, and reward pathways.


• Identify how trauma, nutrition, and lifestyle factors interact with genetic predisposition to alter brain plasticity and addiction risk.


• Apply foundational neurobiological concepts to enhance prevention, patient education, and integrative treatment strategies for substance use disorders

How will this help the audience in their job? Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching? Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient? Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem? List all other benefits.

• Provides clinicians and educators with a clear framework linking genetics, brain circuitry, and environmental factors in addiction.


• Enhances understanding of neurobiological mechanisms, improving precision in patient assessment and treatment planning.


• Offers a unified model integrating genetics, trauma, nutrition, and lifestyle for more effective, personalized care.


• Supplies faculty with up-to-date neuroscience concepts applicable to teaching addiction medicine, psychiatry, or psychology.


• Simplifies clinical and educational communication of complex neurobiological mechanisms to patients and learners.


• Supports development of evidence-informed prevention and intervention strategies based on neuroplasticity and resilience.


• Expands opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration among neuroscience, psychiatry, and behavioral health educators.


• Encourages holistic addiction care combining biological, psychological, and lifestyle-based approaches.