Dr. Judith Grisel on the Neuroscience of Addiction

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. Judith Grisel, behavioral neuroscientist, professor at Bucknell University, and author of the best-selling book Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction, joins Dr. Rachel Docekal and Dr. John Dyben for an eye-opening discussion on addiction, brain science, and healing.

Dr. Grisel shares her remarkable personal journey from homelessness and active addiction to recovery and groundbreaking neuroscience research. Now a nationally recognized expert and TED-Ed speaker, she focuses on the biology behind addiction vulnerability, exploring how genetics, development, and environment influence who becomes addicted and why.

Together, the group dives into:

• Why some people are biologically more prone to addiction
• The dangers of early drug use on developing brains
• The similarities between addictive drugs and modern digital stimuli (social media, pornography, and gaming)
• How our brains adapt to overstimulation—and what we lose when they do
• The importance of presence, real-world relationships, and sensory experiences in rewiring the brain for recovery
• Why there is always hope for healing—and how paying attention is a form of medicine

Dr. Grisel also reflects on her early recovery experience and shares a heartfelt connection to Hanley Foundation, where she was evaluated during her own journey to wellness.

Learn more about Dr. Judith Grisel’s work: Never Enough on Amazon

Need help? Visit hanleycenter.org or call 844-502-4673.

Whether you’re a clinician, a parent, or someone in recovery, this conversation is rich with insight, compassion, and scientific clarity.