Overview
Epigenetics is the field of studying how behavioral functions and environmental factors influence how genes and DNA operate. The term “epigenome” is used to describe the chemical tags that collectively attach to DNA that turn certain genes on or off.
With chronic substance use, the “hijacking” of neural pathways associated with reward and self-control are directly rooted in epigenetic mechanisms. For instance, cocaine and alcohol stimulate enzymes that activate genes increasing neuroplasticity and the production of dendritic spines, which is how the brain can become more sensitive to cues associated with substance use.