Chemistry of the brain regulates our thinking, behavior, and feelings through neurotransmitters.
Addiction is a result of impaired brain chemistry.
Neurotransmitters linked to addiction are;Serotonin, Dopamine, GABA, Endorphins, Norepinephrin, to lesser extent Acetylcholine and Anandamide.
Functions of these neurotransmitters are:
Serotonin; natural anti-depressant, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
Dopamine; pleasure feeling, motivation, focus, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
GABA; natural sedative, relaxation, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
Endorphins; natural opiates, relief for physical and emotional pain, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
Norepinephrin; provides energy, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
Acetylcholine; regulates autonomic nervous system, cognitive functions and memory
Anandamide; dampening effect on all other neurotransmitters
Happiness and well being and sense of inner peace is a brain function when these neurotransmitters are produced in just balanced quantity required so for an individual.
Neurotransmitters imbalance may be caused due to poor diet, nutritional deficiency, genetic polymorphism, chronic stress, childhood abuse, environmental toxins, brain trauma (concussion),
Neurotransmitters imbalance symptoms includes; depression, anxiety, irritability, violence, inability to concentrate or remember, insomnia, hyperactivity, cravings for mind-altering substances of all kind.
Psychotropic substances artificially and temporarily alter neurotransmitters in the brain by:
i. stimulating an intense supply of neurotransmitters to be released all at once,
ii. mimic the effect of natural transmitters.
For example:
a. sugar and alcohol increases dopamine, serotonin, GABA, endorphins.
b. marijuana and chocolates affects anandamide.
c. nicotine affects acetylcholine.
d. cocaine and amphetamines increase dopamine.
e. ativan/valium mimic GABA.
Sense of well being, inner peace, pleasure, joy, happiness by alleviating physical and emotional pain is the net gain of these addictive substances by altering the neurotransmitter.
Addiction explained by Charles Gant, "brain responds to artificial stimulation of neurotransmitters by either reducing production of and responsiveness to the particular neurotransmitter or reducing the number of receptors for the neurotransmitters. This leaves the brain dependent upon the psychotropic substance to perform the duties of the impaired transmitter."
Addict brain is not producing or responding it's own natural neurotransmitters then craving and withdrawal symptoms appear for the addictive substance to carry out the functions of depleted neurotransmitters.
Restoring the balance of neurotransmitters is the answer to get out of the addictive habit, by choosing:
i. right diet
ii. nutritional supplement
iii. change in life style
Thankfully consulted and shared from:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/preface
http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/addiction-science
http://www.naturalnews.com/041140_addiction_brain_chemistry_mental_health.html
Addiction is a result of impaired brain chemistry.
Neurotransmitters linked to addiction are;Serotonin, Dopamine, GABA, Endorphins, Norepinephrin, to lesser extent Acetylcholine and Anandamide.
Functions of these neurotransmitters are:
Serotonin; natural anti-depressant, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
Dopamine; pleasure feeling, motivation, focus, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
GABA; natural sedative, relaxation, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
Endorphins; natural opiates, relief for physical and emotional pain, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
Norepinephrin; provides energy, provides feelings of well being and inner peace
Acetylcholine; regulates autonomic nervous system, cognitive functions and memory
Anandamide; dampening effect on all other neurotransmitters
Happiness and well being and sense of inner peace is a brain function when these neurotransmitters are produced in just balanced quantity required so for an individual.
Neurotransmitters imbalance may be caused due to poor diet, nutritional deficiency, genetic polymorphism, chronic stress, childhood abuse, environmental toxins, brain trauma (concussion),
Psychotropic substances artificially and temporarily alter neurotransmitters in the brain by:
i. stimulating an intense supply of neurotransmitters to be released all at once,
ii. mimic the effect of natural transmitters.
For example:
a. sugar and alcohol increases dopamine, serotonin, GABA, endorphins.
b. marijuana and chocolates affects anandamide.
c. nicotine affects acetylcholine.
d. cocaine and amphetamines increase dopamine.
e. ativan/valium mimic GABA.
Sense of well being, inner peace, pleasure, joy, happiness by alleviating physical and emotional pain is the net gain of these addictive substances by altering the neurotransmitter.
Addiction explained by Charles Gant, "brain responds to artificial stimulation of neurotransmitters by either reducing production of and responsiveness to the particular neurotransmitter or reducing the number of receptors for the neurotransmitters. This leaves the brain dependent upon the psychotropic substance to perform the duties of the impaired transmitter."
Addict brain is not producing or responding it's own natural neurotransmitters then craving and withdrawal symptoms appear for the addictive substance to carry out the functions of depleted neurotransmitters.
Restoring the balance of neurotransmitters is the answer to get out of the addictive habit, by choosing:
i. right diet
ii. nutritional supplement
iii. change in life style
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picture credit:http://www.healingartsnyc.com/sugar_addictoin
studies confirm a food addict's brain operates similarly to a drug addict
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http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/preface
http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/addiction-science
http://www.naturalnews.com/041140_addiction_brain_chemistry_mental_health.html