Daniel Lende of the University of Notre Dame.
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Daniel Lende is a neuroanthropologist at the University of Notre Dame. He and Jonah Lehrer, the editor of Mind Matters, discuss what this new field can teach us about craving, capoeira and the link between the brain and culture.
LEHRER: You’re a neuroanthropologist. What’s that?
LENDE: Someone who thinks that both brains and culture make us who we are, so good research needs to create bridges between anthropology and neuroscience.
The problem is that most modern science is still full of dichotomies. Culture versus biology is one of the biggest. I see it as the new nature-nurture debate. Our genes and our brains make us who we are. No, it’s language and history. The argument often degenerates from there.
How can we escape such useless dichotomies? As a neuroanthropologist, I have found it important to focus on concrete problems where we can build interdisciplinary understanding step-by-step. Anthropologists are generally trained to focus on practices, meaning, embodiment, inequality, social contexts and relationships. The trick is figuring out how these categories match up with new discoveries in the brain sciences.
LEHRER: One of those concrete problems that you’ve studied is craving. What can neuroanthropology teach us about craving and its most extreme form, addiction?
LENDE: Let’s begin with the neuroscience. In the scientific literature on addiction, dopamine has often been made out as the “bad boy” behind substance abuse. Although dopamine is often associated with the experience of pleasure—it represents “rewards,” such as chocolate cake or crack cocaine—it also helps make us want stuff. Wanting just needs a little push to get to craving.
There is one small problem: much of the dopamine research is done through lab work with rats and monkeys. As I tell my students, that is not the same as getting a late night pizza craving and picking up the phone to dial Dominos.
But I did see in my work with Colombian adolescents that research on incentive motivation and dopamine could help me understand how some adolescents got so deeply involved with drug use.
So I asked myself: How could I put this genuine advance in neuroscience into practice to actually understand people? As with almost all neuroscience research, the results are exciting, but they suffer from a serious translation problem.
This predicament is where neuroanthropology can be so helpful. In order to draw connections between neuroscience and real world situations, I went out and talked to people to understand craving and addiction from their point of view. This type of real-world data can both challenge and inform ideas based on animal models and neuroimaging studies.
In translating the dopamine research, my work with adolescents proved crucial. They knew what they experienced far better than I did. Using systematic interviews across a range of involvement with drugs (hard-core users to having never tried drugs), I saw three areas of overlap between research on dopamine and compulsive involvement with addictive substances.
First was the emphasis that researchers placed on “wanting.” I was lucky in Colombia; addicted adolescents often described their experiences as “querer más y más,” to want more and more. Second, dopamine affects shifts in attention, which meant that some adolescents couldn’t focus on anything else when they knew an opportunity to consume was about to come along. Third, adolescents described a sense of being pushed toward something—an urge that rose up without conscious desire.
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Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am in complete agreement with this article. Too much specialization in one field and no time left for considerinfg connections with others is like a horse that can't see left or right when harnessed and prevented to turn its head in other directions than the road to follow. The same goes with brain studies. Asserting that this or that region of the brain do exactly this withouth considering the body that is connected to it erroneous. Neurones without a body are as useles as a body without neurones. They work together and affect each others and must be both considered before coming to conclusion. It's ok to be devoted to one field, but entirely devoted is a pathology. We are a combination, not a packet of isolated items. P.S. Congratulation USA for voting in great numbers and electing an intelligent president.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIs the world stupid? Why don't people just accept (as I've said many times before with this debate) that it is both nature and nurture that determines who we become.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisVery good interview.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisStill, I wonder why the word sin is only anecdotal here. The converging disciplines strangely do not include Biblical viewpoint whilst there is an evident nexus with Bible-related issues.
For instance, this portion of the interview:
In that moment, Giovanni remembered the easy money from before, and how that meant easy drugs. He remembered the fame he had on the street, so different from what he was now facing working dead-end jobs. And he felt a surge in craving to go use. That night Giovanni was able to walk away, but he did relapse soon thereafter.
The distinction is usually made between harmless/positive addictions (e.g. addiction to water) and negative addictions (e.g. drug addiction). The only problem with negative addiction seems to be the biological (disease) and social (victims of theft) consequences.
On the other hand, sin is manifest within somebodys conscience. Giovani likely felt guilty after his relapse. Some would dismiss that guiltiness as simple manifestation of cultural heritage. Yet, Giovani is conscious he was not able to control self, which is deeply true, thus the resulting loss of self esteem. Even if we assume theft is not an absolute evil and therefore that Giovani might simply have misconstrued it as such, the raw fact is the patient was not able to live up to a reasonable standard he set for himself. This weakness, incapacity, lack of self control is reflection of sinful nature. Typically, humans fail to achieve some of their simplest ambitions.
The only way to get Giovani out of guiltiness and give him a genuinely free conscience is to mention the ransom sacrifice of Jesus which is a legal basis for Gods forgiveness. In this way, the incapacity of us sinners is fully recognized yet fully compensated. The sinner can move ahead, with his/her pride intact, to the extent of approaching God (the epitome of holiness) with freeness of speech, in order to request more support in the battle against addiction.
You are OUT OF LINE TO USE THE WORD 'SIN' about addiction. If anything it is an illness. What are you a member of the taliban??? You have crossed the line and disrespected my religious beliefs you Neanderthal!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn response to this comment: "The converging disciplines strangely do not include Biblical viewpoint whilst there is an evident nexus with Bible-related issues. "
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is because this approach leaves out those who do not have the same religious convictions you do, and those who can not find solace in the solution you give for any other number of reasons. While it is important to include transpersonal perspectives in healing, it is not appropriate to put those perspectives in rigid containers.
ZenaV, 'sin' is as valid a construct as addiction, just not as clinicalised. There's room for both points of view if either or both prove effective in beating a drug habit. Keep your rant in the bottle it came from.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere is no "Biblical" basis for Mr. Loty's 12-step based addiction treatment. There is also no scientific basis for it. It may work for some people for social reasons, but it doesn't work for all.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this*sigh*
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe use of "Colombian adolescents" out of context, can lead readers to a mistaken concept of Colombian youth. There is no doubt that Colombia has an ill-fame of being the fountain of drugs, but there is far more consumption in US and European youths than within Colombians. The article introduces a bias by this affirmation.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisALEJANDRO ECHAVARR�A
hahaha ohhh ZenaV, you are so hilarious! i was drinking a juicebox when i read your comments, and i'm not gonna lie, apple juice just shot out my nose. ah, thanks for being so humorous :D
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAny craving and compusion can be linked to actual changes in the bodies chemistry (dopamine) it is well known that anything can be addictive, i.e., sex, drugs, gambling and over spending, which is why our country is in the jam that is in. The fact that sin is often fun and exciting in itself fuels the addiction. I think what is important is that the folks that know why addiction happens, stay in touch with the people that have problems. The anthropology (study of culture) or the field work is every bit the ying to the nueroscientist yang..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAny craving and compusion can be linked to actual changes in the bodies chemistry (dopamine) it is well known that anything can be addictive, i.e., sex, drugs, gambling and over spending, which is why our country is in the jam that is in. The fact that sin is often fun and exciting in itself fuels the addiction. I think what is important is that the folks that know why addiction happens, stay in touch with the people that have problems. The anthropology (study of culture) or the field work is every bit the ying to the nueroscientist yang..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAny craving and compusion can be linked to actual changes in the bodies chemistry (dopamine) it is well known that anything can be addictive, i.e., sex, drugs, gambling and over spending, which is why our country is in the jam that is in. The fact that sin is often fun and exciting in itself fuels the addiction. I think what is important is that the folks that know why addiction happens, stay in touch with the people that have problems. The anthropology (study of culture) or the field work is every bit the ying to the nueroscientist yang..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAny craving and compusion can be linked to actual changes in the bodies chemistry (dopamine) it is well known that anything can be addictive, i.e., sex, drugs, gambling and over spending, which is why our country is in the jam that is in. The fact that sin is often fun and exciting in itself fuels the addiction. I think what is important is that the folks that know why addiction happens, stay in touch with the people that have problems. The anthropology (study of culture) or the field work is every bit the ying to the nueroscientist yang..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn the 1970's many American soldiers serving in Southeast Asia were using an extremely pure kind of heroin called "China White". When these soldiers returned to the US they no longer had access of this drug. Yet they didn't experience the typical withdrawal symptoms normally associated with "junkies". And they did not exhibit the "relapse" behavior that heroin addicts are prone to do.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSo if addiction is really a "medical problem", just like diabetes or a broken leg, why did these individuals not suffer from lengthy withdrawal symptoms and the endless cycle of relapsing like most heroin addicts normally do?
This paradox leads to an one inescapable conclusion.
The U.S. Justice system and the multi-billion dollar alcohol and drug "recovery" industrial complex operates on pseudo-science and the irrational belief in magical "religious" delusions.
This statement of fact will now produce a massive amount of livid anger and endless criticism from the 12-step "junkies" and members of addition medical community who make their living off the delusion of addiction.
But if you REALLY want to bring religion into this than I guess Jesus was a sinner since the Pharisees called him a glutton and a wine-bibber. (Drunk). Oh wait, NOT! Jesus was perfect! It was ONLY at his death that he refused mind-altering chemicals. I bet these so-called christian right couldn't do it!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUr Welcome! I'll be happy to make u squirt nose-juice whenever possible! :))
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thissilvrhairdevil - Bafflegab
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisInteresting phrase, does it mean you don't understand the article?
quantum_flux - Is the world stupid?
Yes! See the post by Fabrice LOTY
Fabrice LOTY - harmless/positive addictions (e.g. addiction to water)
Please buy a dictionary and look up the term addiction. Water is needed for life. Cocaine is not, nor is gambling, tobacco or any other addictive substance. Excessive consumption is a form of addiction but the need to drink water is clearly not. You badly degrade the image of all Christians with your ignorant ramblings. Using a scientific article to preach at people is irritating at best, even to many such as myself who essentially agree with you. There is nothing in the Bible that opposes science but your post certainly seems to.
alejo - The use of "Colombian adolescents" out of context
When I first saw the phrase I thought it referred to children in Washington D.C. (District of Columbia) because of the high drug usage rates in the U.S.A. capitol city. I too, think a little context of why he was working with those particular youth should have been included. I wonder if it was because of legal issues in the U.S.A.
buckminster - using an extremely pure kind of heroin called "China White" didn't experience the typical withdrawal symptoms
I've heard of this form of heroin and its supposed non-addictiveness but never found any real research into it. Please post your sources so we know that you are not just perpetuating urban myth.
real nice some idiot micro chips his cat so this just makes humans one step closer to being micro chiped. real nice!!!! unreal. this is how it all starts from a fool like this person
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am sorry to move some people to insolence. Would the God of tender mercies forgive their sins for they do not know what they are doing?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think dictionaries are best left for school work, whilst understanding is required in real life issues.
If water addiction did not exist, life would virtually not exist, for many would forget filling the need to drink water. When mentioning water addiction, I pointed to the positive authority the body exercises over self. In fact, people are encouraged to drink water precisely because some dangerously develop lower water addiction.
Simply put, the drive toward water is essential to filling the need to drink water.
Sincerely,
The "system" you speak of causing addiction is used by cultures and religions to cause addiction to them.Addicts often push for war or attacts on people who disagree with the addicts who define what is sin or toxic or disease-causing different ways of doing things than the addicts push for.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe "system" you noted as cauaing addiction is often used by cultures and religions.Those addicts often push for attacts and wars on people who enjoy life without doing things the way the addicts claim they should be doing things.The addicts define what are sins,toxic or disease-causing.The addicts are the ones who should be imprisoned for their lives to protect the human race.If god really worked for the human race the addicts would not be allowed to exist.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisActually Tinagirlla regarding "This is because this approach leaves out those who do not have the same religious convictions you do, and those who can not find solace in the solution you give for any other number of reasons. While it is important to include transpersonal perspectives in healing, it is not appropriate to put those perspectives in rigid containers." >> The rigidity of your container is of your own creation. Jesus came to set the captives free yet some refuse to investigate the way out of the solace they proclaim to be in. Whose fault is it?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisActually Tinagirlla regarding "This is because this approach leaves out those who do not have the same religious convictions you do, and those who cannot find solace in the solution you give for any other number of reasons. While it is important to include transpersonal perspectives in healing, it is not appropriate to put those perspectives in rigid containers." >> The rigidity of your container is of your own creation. Jesus came to set the captives free yet some refuse to investigate the way out of the solace they proclaim to be in. Whose fault is it?
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