Meth inflames and stimulates your brain through similar pathways – new research offers potential avenue to treat meth addiction

Researchers identified a key molecule that highlights how the immune system is linked to the release of dopamine.

By: Habibeh Khoshbouei, University of Florida and Marcelo Febo, University of Florida, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 9, 2026

Words: 641

Last Updated: 18 hours, 58 minutes ago

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By Habibeh Khoshbouei, University of Florida and Marcelo Febo, University of Florida

Methamphetamine doesn’t just spike levels of the pleasure-inducing hormone dopamine in the reward pathways of the brain – it also provokes damaging brain inflammation through similar mechanisms.

Meth is addictive because it increases dopamine levels in the brain. While researchers know that meth triggers brain inflammation, whether the immune system also affects the brain’s reward system during drug use has been unclear. …

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