Mark S. Gold

Mark S. Gold (born 1949) is an American physician, academic, and researcher known for his work on the effects of opioids, cocaine, tobacco, and food on brain function and behavior. He has held academic positions as a professor of neuroscience and psychiatry and served as chair of the [https://psychiatry.ufl.edu Department of Psychiatry] at the [https://med.ufl.edu/ University of Florida College of Medicine], where he established the [https://addictionresearch.health.ufl.edu/ Division of Addiction Medicine].

Gold’s research has focused on the mechanisms underlying opioid addiction, particularly the role of the locus coeruleus in dependence and withdrawal, contributing to treatment methods developed in 1978. He contributed to the use of opioid antagonists, such as naltrexone, in treating opioid addiction and helped develop treatment strategies for substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol. His research on dopamine’s role in addiction extended to compulsive behaviors like overeating and gambling, examining links between substance addiction and behavioral compulsions. His work also contributed to the concept of food addiction, especially regarding highly processed, high-fat, and high-sugar foods. Provided by Wikipedia