Which term describes the alteration in brain chemistry as a behavior is repeated over time?

The correct term that describes the alteration in brain chemistry as a behavior is repeated over time is neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences, learning, and repeated behaviors. As certain behaviors are practiced frequently, the brain forms new neural pathways or strengthens existing connections, leading to changes in brain chemistry that can facilitate those behaviors.

In the context of addiction and behavior, neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in how people develop habits or dependencies on substances. The brain’s adaptability is central to understanding both the recovery process and the development of new, healthier habits over time.

While habituation generally refers to a decrease in response to a repeated stimulus, conditioning focuses on the learning associations made through repeated experiences. An adaptive response describes how the body or brain adjusts to changes in the environment, but it does not specifically focus on the long-term brain changes resulting from repetitive behaviors like neuroplasticity does.