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Scarcity begets addiction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 April 2006

Giorgio A. Ascoli  and
Kevin A. McCabe
Giorgio A. Ascoli*
Affiliation:
Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, Psychology Department, and Neuroscience Program, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA22030-4444http://krasnow.gmu.edu/L-Neuron
Kevin A. McCabe*
Affiliation:
Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, Economics Department, and School of Law, George Mason University, Arlington, VA22201http://www.neuroeconomics.net
*
ascoli@gmu.edu
kmccabe@gmu.edu
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Abstract

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As prototypical incentive with biological meaning, food illustrates the distinction between money as tool and money as drug. However, consistent neuroscience results challenge this view of food as intrinsic value and opposite to drugs of abuse. The scarce availability over evolutionary time of both food and money may explain their similar drug-like non-satiability, suggesting an integrated mechanism for generalized reinforcers.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 178
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006