• The hypothalamus has direct connections to the nucleus accumbens, which is the control center for behaviors such as sex and eating.

Sex and food are considered “natural” rewards and they also elevate dopamine

• The neural circuits involved with natural reward and reinforcement overlap extensively with those implicated in drug conditioning, craving, and relapse.

References

1. Di Chiara G, Tanda G. Blunting of reactivity of dopamine transmission to palatable food: a biochemical marker of anhedonia in the CMS model? Psychopharmacology. 1997; 134(4), 351-353; discussion 71-77.

1. Fiorino DF, Phillips AG. Facilitation of sexual behavior and enhanced dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens of male rats after D-amphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization. J Neurosci. 1999; 19(1), 456-463.

1. Blum K, Liu Y, Shriner R, Gold MS. Reward circuitry dopaminergic activation regulates food and drug craving behavior. Current pharmaceutical design. 2011; 17(12), 1158-1167.