The Impact of Drug Delivery on Brain Response

A study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that the way a drug is administered, whether through injection or orally, affects how the brain responds to its effects. The researchers discovered that the salience network, a brain region associated with drug addiction, is activated when drugs are taken intravenously but not when taken orally. The study also revealed that drugs that reach the brain more quickly are more addictive, partly due to dopamine release. This information could help inform treatment strategies and interventions for substance use disorders.