What Does Neuroscience Tell Us About Addiction? With Dr. Judith Grisel

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. Judith Grisel, behavioral neuroscientist, professor at Bucknell University, and author of the best-selling book Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction, joins Dr. Rachel Docekal and Dr. John Dyben for an eye-opening discussion on addiction, brain science, and healing.Dr. Grisel shares her remarkable personal journey from homelessness and active addiction to recovery and groundbreaking neuroscience research. Now a nationally recognized expert and TED-Ed speaker, she focuses on the biology behind addiction vulnerability, exploring how genetics, development, and environment influence who becomes addicted and why.Together, the group dives into:Why some people are biologically more prone to addictionThe dangers of early drug use on developing brainsThe similarities between addictive drugs and modern digital stimuli (social media, pornography, and gaming)How our brains adapt to overstimulation—and what we lose when they doThe importance of presence, real-world relationships, and sensory experiences in rewiring the brain for recoveryWhy there is always hope for healing—and how paying attention is a form of medicineDr. Grisel also reflects on her early recovery experience and shares a heartfelt connection to Hanley Foundation, where she was evaluated during her own journey to wellness.Learn more about Dr. Judith Grisel’s work: Never Enough on AmazonNeed help? Visit hanleycenter.org or call 844-502-4673.Whether you’re a clinician, a parent, or someone in recovery, this conversation is rich with insight, compassion, and scientific clarity.