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I'm no expert, but I do know that dopamine, the reward neurotransmitter, can play a big role in psychological addiction, as opposed to physical addiction to the chemical itself. With respect to physical addiction, your body adapts to having the chemical and craves it, such that you get withdrawal if you cut it out. Some drugs, like cannabis, aren't physically addictive, but are psychologically addictive. You don't get physical withdrawal symptoms when you cut out the drug, but you do miss it and your mind refers back to it, which is what makes you want it. I've found that smoking weed is far more psychologically addictive than consuming THC gummies, because there is a strong link between the act, smoking, and the effect, getting high, because smoking puts the drug quickly into your bloodstream via your lungs. Conversely, it takes 30-45 minutes for edibles to kick in, so it weakens the link between the action, eating the edible, and the high, which doesn't come for a while afterwards. Gambling, porn, etc., are psychological addictions that rely on the dopamine (reward) connection.