New Device Aims to Combat Addiction Using Ultrasound

Researchers at West Virginia University's Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute are testing a $1 million helmet-like device that uses ultrasound waves to target the nucleus accumbens, a brain region linked to addiction. In a trial involving a 39-year-old addict, the procedure reportedly diminished cravings after just 30 minutes of exposure while the patient viewed images related to their addiction. The method, which is FDA-approved, aims to disrupt the brain's reward system to help individuals better manage triggers that lead to substance abuse. Initial results show that approximately 75% of participants remained substance-free for months following treatment. Additionally, a new recovery model called Synaptic Consciousness Recovery (SCR) proposes viewing addiction not merely as a disease but as a transformative opportunity, integrating neuroplasticity and holistic healing into the recovery process. With over 100,000 drug-related deaths annually in the U.S., these innovative approaches offer hope for addressing the ongoing addiction crisis.