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What is drug addiction? What is substance abuse? What does it mean to be addicted to gambling or sports betting? How does the mind work in these cases? How can this be explained in a new way amid budget cuts and pivots in harm reduction programs?
By David Stephen
The first step to adjust the understanding of how substance abuse and addictions work is to theorize that what is called signals or impulses [electrical and chemical] of neurons are configurators or the basis of functions.
This means that rather than assuming that neurons are using those to communicate—or that there is spontaneous transmission or evoked transmission—that electrical and chemical configurators are central to all brain functions.
This assumption makes it possible to place the effects of substances, or why things become addictive, explain withdrawal effects, tolerance, dependency, relapses and so forth.
In neuroscience, there is electrochemical evidence for all brain functions. This makes it scientifically credible to postulate directly on those, bypassing neurons, which are like bridges or structures for their operations.
Neurons are in clusters. This indicates that configurators are in sets or in loops. It is within these sets that they assemble, specifically, for respective functions. The configurators interact and by doing so, the functions become outcomes of those interactions—to limits or extents—set by the attributes.
This implies that it is not just one electrical configurator or one chemical configurator, but a collection of them, interacting [not electrical, triggering chemical].
So, while the association of one neurotransmitter to a function is still dominant in contemporary literature, it is theorized here that functions [and experiences] involve sets [and attributes of those interactions].Assuming the alphabets A-Z represent different sets [of configurators], for different functions
—and there are hyphens between each alphabet, as pathways of one to others
—it is possible to show a model of how drugs affect the mind, using this analogy.
There could be more than one set [or alphabet] that represents the reward circuit, but it is not one neurotransmitter. Also, reward is a combination of different chemical configurators [with electrical configurators interacting with them].
The attention [or prioritization, an attribute] that may lead to the reward experience is mechanized in that set, but may sometimes be outdone by a higher attribute in another set, resulting in no [experience of] reward. This, and other attributes, can be used to explain how more substance quantities result in a prior high [or tolerance].
The progression for neuroscience, after the isolation of neurons—more than a century ago—is electrical and chemical configurators.
Electrical and Chemical Configurators
The human mind, distinct from the body, can be conceptually described as the collection of all the electrical and chemical configurators—with their interactions and attributes, in sets, in clusters of neurons—across the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Simply, the human mind is the set[s] of configurators. Interactions means the strike of electrical configurators on chemical configurators, in sets.
This means that anything that can have an effect on electrical configurators or chemical configurators can influence the mind.
Every mental state can be explained with this, then displayed, to show parallels, in the human mind.
New Addiction Model
Different psychoactive substances like hallucinogens, psychedelics, anesthetics, sedatives, stimulants and so forth, are known to have different mechanisms.
Some block the reuptake of some neurotransmitters. Some inhibit or induce certain others or act on some receptors and so forth.
This general understanding has been unable to show the close architecture of how drugs have effects.
First, if any active ingredient has an effect on some chemical configurator, it may affect the interaction of configurators in that set, or some attributes. It could also affect interactions in other sets since distributions may sometimes continue if interactions do not terminate [or completely fit] in that set.
While this may have therapeutic effects, it could lead to side effects since the target configurator is often a part of the formation [or assemblage] in other sets, so when induced, it could be great for one set—it may be less than appropriate for other sets, causing problems or multiple side effects.
The same applies to gambling addiction, especially how attributes of configurators result in the problem.
There are several chemical configurators with receptors across several areas of the brain, showing that while they are mostly versatile [in set with others], they are not simply adapted to a function or a few, as commonly stated. They work in concert.
HHS and NIH’s BRAIN Initiative
The most important research for mental health and substance use therapy at this time is theoretical, advancing from all the evidence and data in neuroscience.
This theoretical leap will be more affordable and pervasive, allowing for the next phase of solutions to be predicated directly on configurators not just seeking neural mechanisms.
There is a recent story on NBC Palm Springs, NIH Faces Major Budget Cuts in 2026 Under Proposed HHS Plan, stating that, “The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is facing significant budget cuts under a newly released proposal for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the 2026 fiscal year. The document outlines a sharp reduction in funding for the NIH, with its budget dropping to $27.5 billion—a decrease of roughly 40% compared to 2025 levels. This proposed cut is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at consolidating the work of the NIH’s current 27 institutes into just eight. The changes are expected to have far-reaching implications for research, public health, and innovation across the country. Additional cuts are also anticipated for other major agencies under HHS.”
For the NIH with its BRAIN Initiative, there is the need to explore theoretical neuroscience to explain every condition in the DSM.
The connectome or brain maps is not enough. Wires are bridges or structures for configurators to assemble functions.
Neurons are like websites. Configurators are the contents. Contents that determine the value and good of websites, making one different from others. Contents need the website to be accessible, but websites are blank without them —so to speak.
The HHS can also explore how to close in on electrical and chemical configurators, as a way to pivot and advance knowledge, using the evidence in neuroscience, for a better brain health for all.
