Secondary Brain Dominance Theory (SBDT): A Dynamic Neurocognitive Framework of Control Imbalance in Addiction

Abstract

Addiction is characterized by a persistent divergence between intention and action, posing a central challenge for contemporary neuroscience and psychiatry. While dual-process theories, reinforcement learning models, and neurobiological frameworks have advanced understanding, they often fail to integrate subjective experience with dynamic neural regulation. The Secondary Brain Dominance Theory (SBDT) proposes that behavior is governed by a fluctuating balance between two functional systems: an executive, reflective system (Primary Brain) and an automatic, habitual system (Secondary Brain). Addiction is conceptualized as a state-dependent shift toward dominance of automatic processes, leading to impaired self-regulation. By synthesizing insights from network neuroscience, computational psychiatry, and behavioral research, SBDT offers a unified and mechanistically grounded framework. The model has significant implications for clinical assessment, therapeutic intervention, and the development of precision psychiatry approaches.