A collection of neurons within the subcortical part of the forebrain, called the striatum, which receives input from the basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex. The nucleus accumbens is thought to play an important role in reward, laughter, pleasure, addiction, fear, and the placebo effect.
A collection of cells within the basal forebrain. It is often colloquially referred to as the pleasure (or “reward”) center of the brain because most addictive drugs increase dopamine levels (and decrease serotonin levels) in the NA.
The nucleus accumbens, often abbreviated as NAcc and also referred to as the accumbens nucleus, is an integral component of the brain’s reward system. Situated within the limbic system, it plays a crucial role in processing information associated with motivation and reward.