Addiction and Reward: The Nucleus Accumbens and Empathy

Neuroscience research into addiction often yields a constricted and limited view of predestination and inevitability. In this month’s teleseminar, we will work with an expanded understanding of the brain, addiction and reward, playing with the Jaak Panksepp quote, “Many people think there is only one reward system in the brain, but each of the emotional circuits has its own rewards.” We cover the Nucleus Accumbens in depth, so that we can integrate the latest research into our understanding of the Seeking circuit, but we will also dip into the rewards and joys of Play, Care and Sexuality, and develop an understanding of empathy’s role in supporting freedom and flow.