Neuroscience: Addiction as Learning - The Missing Link? — Prof. Marc Lewis

17 Apr 2025 • 62 min • EN

Professor Marc Lewis is a former Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Toronto and a world leading expert in the neuroscience of addiction. It was particularly interesting to speak with Marc because not only does he have a deep understanding of the neural mechanisms underneath addictive processes, he also has battled with quite severe opioid addictions himself. He is the author of two bestselling books on the subject: Memoirs of an Addicted Brain, and The Biology of Desire. Now, he works as a clinical psychologist in Toronto, specialising in addiction treatment. You’ll learn: — How Marc’s experiences as a developmental psychologist helped him to develop his groundbreaking learning model of addiction — A simple introduction to the neuroscience of addiction and the brain areas involved — Why it’s hard to stop an addictive pattern once it has taken hold — What works (and what doesn’t) in recovery. And more. You can learn more about Marc’s innovative work by visiting: www.memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com --- Prof Marc Lewis, PhD is a neuroscientist, professor, bestselling author, and one of the world’s leading experts on the neuroscience of addiction. In his academic work, he has authored or co-authored more than fifty journal articles, and for many years was a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Toronto and then Radboud University (Netherlands) before retiring. For the last decade, he has focused on making his work more accessible to a wider audience through books for lay readers, pop science articles, public talks, and interviews. He is the author of two bestselling books on addiction: “Memoirs of an Addicted Brain” and “The Biology of Desire”, a book which Dr Gabor Mate argues “effectively refutes the disease model of addiction.” He is currently practicing psychotherapy as a clinical psychologist in Toronto, working with clients with addictive problems and other difficulties. You can learn more about his work at www.memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com. --- 6 Books Prof Lewis Recommends for Every Therapist Should Read: — Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear —Dr. Carl L. Hart - https://amzn.to/44MnKfG — High Price: Drugs, Neuroscience, and Discovering Myself — Dr. Carl L. Hart - https://amzn.to/3Kt8YmH — Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction — Szalavitz Maia - https://amzn.to/3NS0p5q — Drinking: A Love Story — Caroline Knapp - https://amzn.to/3NWYaOt — The Night of the Gun — David Carr - https://amzn.to/44SHYod — The Biology of Desire: why addiction is not a disease (The Addicted Brain) —Prof Marc Lewis - https://amzn.to/44QYpBl

From "The Weekend University"

Listen on your iPhone

Download our iOS app and listen to interviews anywhere. Enjoy all of the listener functions in one slick package. Why not give it a try?

App Store Logo
application screenshot

Popular categories