Examining the relationship between substance use and exploration–exploitation behavior in young adults.

Abstract

Substance use is characterized by reward processing dysregulation and cognitive control deficits. One area of research that remains relatively unexplored is the relationship between substance use and explorationexploitation trade-offs, which involve a continuum from switching (exploration) to perseverative (exploitation). In dynamic, volatile environments, exploitation of well-known options can lead to habit-driven perseveration, and exploration of new opportunities can produce new information that may enhance one's future state. The primary aim was to investigate the relationship between regular substance use and spontaneous eyeblink rate (EBR) on exploration-exploitation behavior. Young adults (N = 83) aged 18-23 completed a single laboratory session. A dynamic foraging task was used to characterize exploration/ exploitation behavior. Substance use was defined using the Externalizing Spectrum Inventory-Brief Form. Dopamine levels were operationalized using spontaneous EBR. The primary outcome was proportion of switch choices on the foraging task, which reflects a continuum of exploitation (low values) to exploration (high values) behavior. A linear mixed-effects regression was conducted to examine the effect of substance use and EBR on the proportion of switch trials. Results demonstrated a significant negative interaction between substance use and EBR on proportion of switch trials ( p < .001). Participants with regular substance use and low EBR showed decreased switch choices, indicative of increased exploitation, compared to those with higher EBR. EBR was positively associated with proportion of switch trials ( p = .032) and thus greater exploration. The relationship between substance use and increased exploitation in young adults appears specific to those with low EBR.

The role of intolerance of uncertainty when solving the exploration-exploitation dilemma

“…How to quantify the EED is a matter of debate with different studies following different approaches. As exploitation is sometimes defined as repeating the same behavior and exploration as selecting a different one, the EED could be quantified simply as switch/no-switch behaviour across trials (Byrne et al, 2022). However, this definition ignores behavior across time.…”

The explore/exploit trade‐off: An ecologically valid and translational framework that can advance mechanistic understanding of eating disorders

“…Obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and impulsivity positively correlated with random exploration (Dubois & Hauser, 2022). In contrast, substance use disorders have been characterized by excessive exploitation (Byrne et al, 2022; Morris et al, 2016; Raio et al, 2021). Suboptimal explore/exploit decision‐making may have implications for the maintenance of psychopathology.…”

Individuals with Methamphetamine Use Disorder Show Reduced Directed Exploration and Learning Rates Independent of an Aversive Interoceptive State Induction

“…One study showed that participants with Amphetamine Use Disorder engaged in less information-seeking than healthy controls in a decision-making task that had no cost associated with exploration 12 . This difference may be partly attributable to effects of the drug itself, given that chronic amphetamine use has been shown to deplete intracellular dopamine 13 , and that lower tonic dopamine levels have been linked to lower exploratory behavior in individuals with substance use disorders 14 . Furthermore, a longitudinal study of iMUDs found that participants who decreased methamphetamine use over a period of six weeks showed higher levels of DE by the end of that period 15 , supporting the idea that methamphetamine use may affect exploratory behavior.…”

“…One study showed that participants with Amphetamine Use Disorder engaged in less information-seeking than healthy controls in a decision-making task that had no cost associated with exploration 12 . This difference may be partly attributable to effects of the drug itself, given that chronic amphetamine use has been shown to deplete intracellular dopamine 13 , and that lower tonic dopamine levels have been linked to lower exploratory behavior in individuals with substance use disorders 14 .…”