Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Table of Contents - December 2011 - Volume 34, Issue 06  

Open Peer Commentary

Psychoactive drug use: Expand the scope of outcome assessment

Alfonso Troisia1

a1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy. alfonso.troisi@uniroma2.it http://web.uniroma2.it/medicinait.php

Abstract

The “hijacking” and “drug instrumentalization” models of psychoactive drug use predict opposite outcomes in terms of adaptive behavior and fitness benefits. Which is the range of applicability of each model? To answer this question, we need more data than those reported by studies focusing on medical, psychiatric, and legal problems in addicted users. An evolutionary analysis requires a much wider focus.

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