“The circuitry of addiction runs parallel to the circuitry of love”
— Gabor Mate
Simplified Meaning:
Addiction and love share similar pathways in the brain, meaning they affect us in similar ways. For example, when someone is in love, they might feel euphoric and constantly think about their partner. This feeling is driven by chemicals in the brain that create a sense of pleasure and reward. Similarly, a person with an addiction experiences strong cravings and feels pleasure when engaging in addictive behaviors, like using drugs or gambling. Both love and addiction can lead to intense emotions and sometimes make people act irrationally or against their best interests. Understanding this connection reminds us to be careful and mindful because the same powerful emotions that can create happiness can also lead to harmful behaviors. Knowing this can help people make wiser decisions and seek help when they notice harmful patterns in their life.
