Abstract
The brain is the source of meaning and spirit. Addictions to smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs, and certain behaviors like gambling, overeating, taboo, and sex, are prevalent worldwide. These behaviors are highly destructive and costly to individ¬uals and society due to health consequences, criminality and lost productivity. The genetic vulnerability, environmental exposures, and individual behaviors that con¬tribute to the brain dysfunction and compulsive tendencies that mark addiction make it one of the most complicated diseases to study and treat. Much has been learned about the genetic basis of and biochemical imbalances associated with the addictions. Progress towards effective treatment has been retarded by insufficient attention being paid to understanding the role of spirituality in helping to heal addicts. We hypothesize that a healthy spirituality may come more naturally to some individuals because of the unique interaction of their genes and their en¬vironments. We review the evidence in support of this view. Consider the role of default mode network (DMN) as a way of how people process self and religiosity. We offer herein a novel concept we call the neurospirituality connectome as a cornerstone of the purpose and meaning of life as reward (PMLR). The conse¬quences of non-treatment are attenuated by PMLR.
Citation: Braverman ER, Makale M, Gupta A, Graham B, Roy AK, et al. 2025. A Challenging Cornerstone of the Purpose and Meaning of Life via Reward and Role in Neurology and Addiction. USG Proc J 1(1): 1-11.
