Female Estrous Cycle and Drug Addiction

Estrous cycles cause changes in hormone levels in females. When hormone levels change it causes alterations within the body. At this point in time females tend to learn more, seek rewards and take in more environmental cues. Hormone levels change depending on the time and part of the day and year. Scientists found that changes in hormone levels have and effect on learning and addiction. The estrous cycle is rhymythic since it occurs for approximately a week in every single month of the year. The rhythmic increase and decrease of hormones causes interactions with neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine and dopamine. Which increases learning and reward seeking.