The Hanley Effect: Dr. Judith Grisel on the Neuroscience of Addiction
In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. Judith Grisel, behavioral neuroscientist, professor at Bucknell University, and author of the best-selling book Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction—joins Dr. Rachel Docekal and Dr. John Dyben for an eye-opening discussion on addiction, brain science, and healing.
Dr. Grisel shares her remarkable personal journey from homelessness and active addiction to recovery and groundbreaking neuroscience research. Now a nationally recognized expert and TED-Ed speaker, she focuses on the biology behind addiction vulnerability, exploring how genetics, development, and environment influence who becomes addicted and why.
Together, the group dives into:
- Why some people are biologically more prone to addiction
- The dangers of early drug use on developing brains
- The similarities between addictive drugs and modern digital stimuli (social media, pornography, and gaming)
- How our brains adapt to overstimulation—and what we lose when they do
- The importance of presence, real-world relationships, and sensory experiences in rewiring the brain for recovery
- Why there is always hope for healing—and how paying attention is a form of medicine
Dr. Grisel also reflects on her early recovery experience and shares a heartfelt connection to Hanley Foundation, where she was evaluated during her own journey to wellness.
Learn more about Dr. Judith Grisel’s work: Never Enough on Amazon
️ Watch her TED-Ed Talk: Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction
Whether you’re a clinician, a parent, or someone in recovery, this conversation is rich with insight, compassion, and scientific clarity.
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