This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American Over the past year and a half, Scientific ...

Recreational drug use often begins as a seemingly harmless activity, a way to unwind, socialize or experiment. However, what starts as occasional use can quickly spiral into addiction, with ...

Everyday human behavior is guided and shaped by the search for rewards. This includes eating tasty meals, drinking something refreshing, sexual activity and nurturing children. Many of these behaviors ...