The fish were taught that when they swam over a yellow platform, a motion sensor would trigger, releasing opioids (i.e. hydrocodone). Within two weeks, the fish were exhibiting "drug-seeking" behavior? How? How does this differ if we replace the opioid with food? This is pure classical conditioning, rewarding them when perform a particular action.
Doesn't "drug seeking" pretty much mean that the fish behaved as if the drugs were a reward?
Drug use becomes a problem when drug seeking merely competes with basic motivations, it doesn't have to completely replace them. So I wonder where you think the line should be drawn.
I think you're onto the main question. Were the fish neglecting more natural instincts and past learned behaviours that led to the search for food -- instead preferring the platform that indicated a release of the drug?
It would need to show that they were acting actively against their best survival interests for an endorphin release provided by a substance they learned they could acquire by acting in this certain way. That would be the damning conclusion.
Seeking opiates is not a natural thing for fish. They have a desire for food and mating and other necessities. But doing things for opiates is completely outside of their biology.
I think that is the point, but I'm no fish psychologist.
My cats exhibit "drug seeking" behavior all hours of the day that their food bowl isn't filled (I don't give in), if this is the criteria.
I think the study would be a little less useless if they would have not taken the food away. If the fish are choosing drugs over food, that's a bit more indicative.
Although, we really need to see if we can push these fish to the point of robbing old ladies on the street for that one sweet hit of hydrocodone.
Most animals reach satiety relatively quickly when it comes to food and don't overeat. With drugs satiety is hard to control or achieve. The article mentions the zebra fish exhibited drug seeking behavior. The researchers almost certainly know about addiction and understand addicting behaviors. I think one should assume the researchers are aware that drug addicting behavior would be different than pure classical conditioning.
If you or I, laymen on a topic, can think of a possible flaw after a moments thought then we should assume the experts have likewise thought of this possibility and have accounted for it in their study. The writer of the article may not have accounted for it in their explanation though.
I’d like to see the fish equivalent of the “rat park” experiment where rats were tested on addictive behavior in a barren cage, and then again in a cage with lots of toys and social opportunities.
Those fish were pretty much in the worst environment possible.
