The article reviews the neural mechanisms of extinction learning, a form of emotional regulation where conditioned responses to a stimulus decrease when the reinforcer is omitted. Extinction occurs in three phases: acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval, each involving specific brain structures and molecular mechanisms. The amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus are key structures involved in these phases. Pharmacological methods to enhance extinction learning, both for aversive and appetitive conditioning, are being explored as potential treatments for anxiety disorders and addictions. The review highlights recent findings on the neural circuits and molecular processes involved in extinction, including the role of NMDA receptors, calcium currents, and kinase pathways. It also discusses the importance of contextual modulation of extinction and the clinical implications of these findings, particularly in the context of anxiety disorders and PTSD.The article reviews the neural mechanisms of extinction learning, a form of emotional regulation where conditioned responses to a stimulus decrease when the reinforcer is omitted. Extinction occurs in three phases: acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval, each involving specific brain structures and molecular mechanisms. The amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus are key structures involved in these phases. Pharmacological methods to enhance extinction learning, both for aversive and appetitive conditioning, are being explored as potential treatments for anxiety disorders and addictions. The review highlights recent findings on the neural circuits and molecular processes involved in extinction, including the role of NMDA receptors, calcium currents, and kinase pathways. It also discusses the importance of contextual modulation of extinction and the clinical implications of these findings, particularly in the context of anxiety disorders and PTSD.