In the 1970s a researcher named Bruce Alexander was researching addiction using rats.
Rats in lab cages were given a choice of plain water or water laced with morphine. They chose the morphine like all the time. Many overdosed.
Then he built “Rat Park”. A 200x larger play space with food, play toys, other rats to play with.
They were given the same choice in water. Most chose plain water, none overdosed. He forced a set to get addicted, but in Rat Park they chose to go through withdrawal.
I think about this study from time to time when it seems like my alcohol intake is a bit high or I start smoking, etc.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9DcIMGxMs
Originally posted on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@jimfwallace/post/DQu5b82ATb5
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