dopamine

Illustration of a head with gears where the brain should be with symbols above it like thoughts. (Graphic: Shutterstock)

Common Threads

Why We Obsess Over Patterns in Our Dates “Stop dating four-letter dudes,” my friend Heather (seven letters) told me. “You have a problem. You need to break this habit, the way some people don’t date Geminis.”   While I am always scanning new paramours for red flags, I had
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A woman stares out a window. Behind her, in the foreground, a glass of wine sits next to a bottle. (Photo: Getty Images)

Bad Genes

More Genes Found with Link to Addictions Many human diseases, such as tobacco and alcohol addictions, are heritable. Until now, little has been known about what genetic factors contribute to these addictions, and if they put people at risk of inheriting other medical conditions.
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We all love our sugar, especially during the holidays. But a study shows that the FGF21 hormone made in the liver suppresses consumption of simple sugars. (Photo: christmasxcite.com)

Sweet Tooth Control

Liver Hormone May Control “Sweet Tooth” We all love our sugar, especially during the holidays. Cookies, cake, and candy are simply irresistible. While sugar cravings are common, the physiological mechanisms that trigger our “sweet tooth” are not well defined. A study
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