Neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disorders

Substance use has been intertwined with human history for millennia. Throughout the ages, people have consumed various substances for medicinal, spiritual, and recreational reasons, although occasional use differs significantly from substance use disorders (SUDs). Exposure to lifetime stressors cons...

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Main Authors: Vitor Augusto Laurino Juliano, Kairo Alan Albernaz-Mariano, Luiza Helena Halas Covre, Paloma Marinho Jucá, Robbert Mota Pereira, Amadeu Shigeo-de-Almeida, Lucas Luzia Sampaio, Erica de Almeida Duque, Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1548372/full
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author Vitor Augusto Laurino Juliano
Kairo Alan Albernaz-Mariano
Luiza Helena Halas Covre
Paloma Marinho Jucá
Robbert Mota Pereira
Amadeu Shigeo-de-Almeida
Lucas Luzia Sampaio
Erica de Almeida Duque
Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
author_facet Vitor Augusto Laurino Juliano
Kairo Alan Albernaz-Mariano
Luiza Helena Halas Covre
Paloma Marinho Jucá
Robbert Mota Pereira
Amadeu Shigeo-de-Almeida
Lucas Luzia Sampaio
Erica de Almeida Duque
Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
author_sort Vitor Augusto Laurino Juliano
collection DOAJ
description Substance use has been intertwined with human history for millennia. Throughout the ages, people have consumed various substances for medicinal, spiritual, and recreational reasons, although occasional use differs significantly from substance use disorders (SUDs). Exposure to lifetime stressors constitutes a significant risk factor for both psychiatric disorders and SUD development and relapse. Indeed, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis modulation, alterations in neuroanatomical and neurotransmitter systems, as well as neuroinflammation are common features of stress-related mood disorders and SUDs. In this mini-review, we will explore how stress exposure influences the SUDs' neurobiological basis on different scales—from large neural circuitries to specific molecular mechanisms—and discuss novel targets for potential treatments.
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issn 1662-453X
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Neuroscience
spelling doaj-art-42b08b28bcf444a48c1fd16018355e1e2025-08-20T02:55:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-05-011910.3389/fnins.2025.15483721548372Neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disordersVitor Augusto Laurino JulianoKairo Alan Albernaz-MarianoLuiza Helena Halas CovrePaloma Marinho JucáRobbert Mota PereiraAmadeu Shigeo-de-AlmeidaLucas Luzia SampaioErica de Almeida DuqueCarolina Demarchi MunhozSubstance use has been intertwined with human history for millennia. Throughout the ages, people have consumed various substances for medicinal, spiritual, and recreational reasons, although occasional use differs significantly from substance use disorders (SUDs). Exposure to lifetime stressors constitutes a significant risk factor for both psychiatric disorders and SUD development and relapse. Indeed, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis modulation, alterations in neuroanatomical and neurotransmitter systems, as well as neuroinflammation are common features of stress-related mood disorders and SUDs. In this mini-review, we will explore how stress exposure influences the SUDs' neurobiological basis on different scales—from large neural circuitries to specific molecular mechanisms—and discuss novel targets for potential treatments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1548372/fullHPA axisneuroinflammationmood disordersearly life stresssubstance use disorder
spellingShingle Vitor Augusto Laurino Juliano
Kairo Alan Albernaz-Mariano
Luiza Helena Halas Covre
Paloma Marinho Jucá
Robbert Mota Pereira
Amadeu Shigeo-de-Almeida
Lucas Luzia Sampaio
Erica de Almeida Duque
Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
Neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disorders
Frontiers in Neuroscience
HPA axis
neuroinflammation
mood disorders
early life stress
substance use disorder
title Neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disorders
title_full Neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disorders
title_fullStr Neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disorders
title_full_unstemmed Neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disorders
title_short Neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disorders
title_sort neurobiological intersections of stress and substance use disorders
topic HPA axis
neuroinflammation
mood disorders
early life stress
substance use disorder
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1548372/full
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