**The Addictive Brain** | **Genetics — Born to be an Addict?**

Discover the neural mechanisms that underlie the behaviors of addiction. This course includes watching a lecture followed by a group discussion moderated by the facilitator.

Investigate how people may be susceptible to addiction on a genetic level. Thanks to studies of twins and DNA analysis, scientists are homing in on the genes that predispose us toward addiction. While there is no single “addiction gene,” our DNA can significantly influence whether we become addicts.

**DISCUSSION QUESTIONS**

1. What is some of the evidence that certain people are innately more susceptible to addiction than others?

2. How do geneticists go about finding genes that contribute to addiction susceptibility?

3. Can you reconcile the neural and genetic findings on addiction with the idea that drug users have free will?