The mesolimbic pathway is a pathway in the brain that connects the midbrain ventral tegmental area (an area in the lower part of the brain) to the nucleus accumbens. The nucleus accumbens is a part of the brain thought to be responsible for pleasurable feelings (particularly during drug abuse), delusions (false beliefs, despite clear evidence to the contrary of those beliefs), and hallucinations (sensations that are not really present). The chemical messenger, dopamine, travels along the mesolimbic pathway. Dopamine also travels along the mesocortical, nigrostriatal, and tuberoinfundibular pathways.