Addictions and habits, explained by a neuroscientist, a psychologist, and a journalist
Addictions and Habits: Insights from Experts
In the thought-provoking video “Addictions and Habits,” neuroscientist Dr. Carl Hart, psychologist Dr. Adam Alter, and journalist Charles Duhigg explore the intricate biology and psychology behind habits and addictions. They argue that bad habits can’t simply be eradicated; instead, understanding the neurological framework of habits can help transform them.
Dr. Hart emphasizes that societal perceptions about addiction, particularly concerning substance use, are often misguided. He advocates for a focus on observable behaviors rather than inherent brain chemistry. Following this, Dr. Alter discusses how modern technology exacerbates behavioral addictions, triggering compulsive responses in moments of emotional need.
Duhigg introduces the “habit loop” concept—comprised of cues, routines, and rewards—explaining how nearly half of our daily actions are habitual rather than deliberate. The experts agree that willpower is insufficient for change; instead, they recommend tweaking existing routines while preserving cues and rewards, allowing for gradual integration of healthier behaviors.
This enlightening discussion not only sheds light on why habits form but also offers practical strategies for overcoming them—reminding us that while habits are deeply ingrained, they can be reshaped with time and intention.
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Author Video Description
We created this video in partnership with Unlikely Collaborators.
Your brain makes habits stick. The good news? The same science shows how to replace the bad ones.
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Why are bad habits so hard to break?
Neuroscientist Carl Hart, PhD, journalist Charles Duhigg, and psychologist Adam Alter, PhD explain how your brain wires habits as cue-routine-reward loops that control nearly half of your daily life. They show why willpower alone rarely works, why technology fuels new forms of addiction, and why habits can only be replaced, not erased.
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About Carl Hart, PhD:
Dr. Hart is an Associate Professor of Psychology in both the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at Columbia University, and Director of the Residential Studies and Methamphetamine Research Laboratories at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. A major focus of Dr. Hart’s research is to understand complex interactions between drugs of abuse and the neurobiology and environmental factors that mediate human behavior and physiology.
About Charles Duhigg:
Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the author of The Power of Habit, which spent over three years on bestseller lists and has been translated into 40 languages, and Smarter Faster Better, also a bestseller. Mr. Duhigg writes for The New Yorker magazine and is a graduate of Yale University and the Harvard Business School. He has been a frequent contributor to CNBC, This American Life, NPR, The Colbert Report, NewsHour, and Frontline.
About Adam Alter, PhD:
Adam Alter is an Associate Professor of Marketing at New York University’s Stern School of Business, with an affiliated appointment in the New York University Psychology Department.
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Video “Addictions and habits, explained by a neuroscientist, a psychologist, and a journalist” was uploaded on 10/15/2025 to Youtube Channel Big Think