Gut Neurotransmitters Connection and Addiction

February 16, 2016

Gut Neurotransmitters Connection and Addiction

With current and ongoing advancements in genetic testing and scientific knowledge, mankind is discovering more about the inner workings of the human body than ever before. Among the new discoveries and paths of inquiry is the link between gut health and psychological and neurological responses. It has been found that gut flora can have a significant influence on the developing brain chemistry of children, which can have an impact on their behavior as adults.

At the Integrative Addiction Conference 2016, experts on the subjects of addiction and nutrition address the link between gut flora, neurotransmitters, and addiction.

There are over three million bacterial cells inhabiting our bodies, and these bacteria can affect our bodies and minds in ways that we are only just beginning to explore. These bacteria can alter our ability to absorb certain vitamins and other vital nutrients, such as Vitamin B6, which is supposed to promote the health of nerve and muscle cells. Bacteria also affect the body’s immune response, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases and other illnesses.

gut neurotransmitters However, the body requires certain beneficial bacteria to function correctly. Strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus have been shown to not only control numbers of pathogenic bacteria, but also to favorably interact with the immune system and endocrinal system with long-term benefits.

Bacteria and other microbes have also been proven to affect brain chemistry and neurotransmitter production and reception. Studies in rats and mice have shown that those without the beneficial bacteria in their guts have impaired production of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF. This protein is known to be involved in anxiety response in humans, and low levels have been implicated in various psychiatric diseases including depression and chronic anxiety.

The animals which had no beneficial gut flora also displayed changes in the NMDA and 5HT1A neurotransmitter receptors, which are also involved in mood regulation. In schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, it is known that part of the cause is a faulty NMDA receptor. Production of tryptophan, the precursor to the generation of serotonin, is also adversely affected by the lack of beneficial gut flora.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which regulates our moods. It is also known as the “happiness molecule” and a deficit in serotonin levels is linked to depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, and insomnia, among others. In men, low serotonin levels are expressed as ADHD, impulsive behavior, and excessive drinking. Women are more likely to experience mood imbalances and food cravings.

Dopamine production and reception are also affected by the imbalance of gut flora. Dopamine is the “motivation molecule” and this is what gives us the ability to see things through, as well as giving us a sense of accomplishment when we achieve our goals. Dopamine deficiency manifests as apathy and lack of motivation, lack of ability to experience pleasure, and low libido. Very often the response to low dopamine levels is over-indulgence in pleasure-inducing substances such as alcohol and recreational drugs, or other self-destructive behaviors.

To function properly and be content, the levels of serotonin and dopamine should remain balanced. If we have too much serotonin and not enough dopamine, we feel unable to do anything and lack energy and drive. If dopamine is dominant over serotonin, we are unable to feel happiness and can only see problems without solutions.

gut neurotransmitters connections If both dopamine and serotonin levels are low, we will have no motivation and no pleasure or contentment, resulting in depression and cravings.

Check out our Integrative Addiction Conference 2016 being held in Austin, Texas

A large proportion of these neurochemicals is produced in the gut and affect appetite. It is only recently that research has been made into the possibility that the microbes in the gut produce the substances. As the production of these neurotransmitters and the anatomy of their receptors becomes affected or damaged by the presence of harmful microbes and the lack of beneficial bacteria in the gut, the symptoms associated with their deficiency or imbalance increase. Sufferers rely on ever-increasing quantities of mood-altering substances to balance the shortfall. But the pleasure granted by these devices and substances becomes more and more fleeting, so more and more has to be taken for the same “high”. Thus, addiction is born.

Colonizing the gut with healthy and beneficial bacteria is a process that has to start in childhood to be fully effective in regulating and maintaining brain chemistry. Once the neurotransmitters have been affected, it is much more difficult to rectify the problem and restore the balance. Understanding the problem informs the solution. Adopt a diet that limits gut damage and prevents the release of harmful bacteria into the blood stream. Nutritional supplements and probiotics can restore the beneficial gut flora to healthy levels. There are also supplements that can increase the production and supply of the neurotransmitters. A holistic and integrated approach to a solution will be more effective than treating only the neurochemical imbalance without addressing the cause, which lies in the gut and the gut flora.

The link between the gut, the brain, and addiction will be explored more fully at the Integrative Addiction Conference in August 2016. For more information and to register, visit the website at http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/.

Gut health expert treatment recommendations

February 15, 2016

Gut health expert treatment recommendations: The five R’s application

Gut health expert treatment recommendations for wholesome health

In our series of articles addressing the issues surrounding gut health and the brain, we want to further explore this discussion by focusing on what the experts are saying about this condition. This is going to be interactive and informative discussion that you do not want to miss. I want therefore to prevail upon you to keep reading even as we seek the opinion of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center on this particular agenda. To help us understand better, we want to look at Gut health expert treatment recommendations in a designed formula we are going to baptize the “five R’s” denoted as: remove, replace, reinoculate, repair and rebalance. By the time we will be done with the five R’s, you will be on the know and take appropriate actions to remedy the situations

Gut health expert treatment recommendations: Remove

Suppressing the symptoms with different kinds of medication does not help in cases like this and therefore option would be identifying and removing the source of gut-lining irritation this way you’ll be walking the right path to total eradication. You can also take the following steps into consideration:

Diet elimination d: Eradicating common irritants like sugar, dairy, gluten, soy, and the chemical additives found in many processed foods can provide a remarkably quick relief, who notes that sugar alone is enough to cause gut problems for many. A properly conducted elimination diet can help you pinpoint which foods are causing trouble: you can test this by eliminate a given food stuff for some time maybe two weeks, then reinstating it and observations of the effects.

Keeping of food journal: keeping records of what you feed on how they affect you is very important. Any feeling of bloat, fatigue or gassy would mean that food item must be added to your elimination list. Most likely your gut is telling you what foods it is sensitive to and obedience would be very necessary.

Limit use of alcohol and NSAIDs: Alcohol taxes the liver and steals nutrients from the gut. NSAIDs inhibit the body’s production of prostaglandins, substances needed to rebuild the intestines’ lining. If you use a full therapeutic dose of NSAIDs for two weeks, there is a 75 percent chance you will develop a leaky gut that doesn’t go away when you stop taking the drug.

Root out infections: Leaky gut can be instigated by any number of pathogenic microorganisms and parasites that thrive in the gut’s warm, mucosal environment. If food-level interventions aren’t helping, find a healthcare practitioner to run tests and administer treatment to you. Remember that with the present of parasites in the body, it may not matter the quality and quantity of nutrients you have, they won’t just help you under such circumstances, says doctor Akoury.

Gut health expert treatment recommendations: Replace

The second step is to give your body what it needs to rebuild the gut lining. Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center have associated the inside of the small intestine to a towel covered with millions of little loops (called villi), which are further covered with millions of little fibers known as microvilli. If the gut is leaky, those fibers get matted thereby hampering regrowth and the absorption of nutrients from food and the vicious cycle continues because the villi need those nutrients to revive. Therefore to solve this riddle Gut health expert recommends:

Take more of whole foods: it is important to note that the body needs the components in their real, fresh food to repair any damage and rebuild healthy new tissue. Whole foods are full of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, plus enzymes the small intestine needs to heal. You can also prioritize non-starchy vegetables and lean proteins by eat plenty of good, whole-food which help strengthen cellular membranes. Therefore as the body heals, it will trigger the elimination of toxins and other byproducts through the large intestine. And for this to happen effectively, the body will need lots of fiber inform of roughages from the food stuff from colorful vegetables, berries, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole-kernel grains. Doctor Akoury advises that to be safe one should work towards taking at least 30 grams of fiber a day.

Supplement with glutamine: The most plentiful free amino acid in the body; glutamine supports immunity and digestion by fueling the cells that line the small intestine. Glutamine heals the intestinal lining more than any other nutrient and it is recommended that one takes 10 to 20 grams daily.

Consume more of omega-3 fatty acids: These are beneficial to the gut calming inflammation and rebuilding healthy cell walls. In animal studies, adding essential fatty acids improved the tight junctions between the gut lining’s cells and enabled the gut to fend off additional injury.

Gut health expert treatment recommendations: Reinoculate

Once your body has patched up the leaks in the gut, you need to help it grow a healthy layer of good bacteria flora that help protect the GI tract and assist with digestion. These beneficial bacteria strengthen your immune system, improve metabolism, help your body make vitamins, and aid in the absorption of minerals. The two most important groups are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

Add a probiotic: High-intensity probiotic support rejuvenates and replenishes a microbiome damaged by antibiotics or a poor diet. Doctor Akoury recommends a high-potency probiotic of at least 50 billion active cultures twice daily. For added insurance, he says, choose one that is enteric-coated, meaning it will ferry the bacteria through the stomach’s acid and release them into the alkaline intestines.

Gut health expert treatment recommendations: Repair and Rebalance

Finally once you’ve got your gut on the road to wellness, it’s time to focus on lasting lifestyle changes. Sliding back into the habits that caused your leaky gut will only invite the return of health problems you want to avoid. Here are two key strategies for supporting ongoing gut health:

Eat mindfully: this may sound off show but nonetheless before taking your first bite, look at your food and take in its aroma. This will trigger the cephalic phase of digestion, an initial release of enzymes that help break down your food. And as you eat, chew thoroughly, paying attention to your food’s flavor and texture. Avoid multitasking or rushing while you eat. Take pauses and breaths between bites, allowing your digestive system to keep pace.

Calm your central nervous system: Under stress, the body’s nervous system kicks into fight-or-flight mode the opposite of its rest-and-digest mode. Recalibrate by cultivating a calmer, more centered state. Consider a daily meditation or yoga practice. Or on a stressful day, swap heavy weightlifting for a tai-chi class. Take note that each time when you change your thoughts you change your physiology as well.

Gut health expert treatment recommendations: The five R’s application

The Integrative Approach to Behavioral Addiction

February 15, 2016

Introducing the Integrative Approach to Behavioral Addiction

Behavioral Addictions:Addictions can come in many forms. For many, it is harder to not eat that cheeseburger than it is to not smoke that cigarette or drink that beer. For others it may be harder to not consistently use sex as a therapy. Yet and still, others may have the hardest time not placing a bet on their favorite prizefighter. Regardless of the category, the person may or may not fall under these three areas constitute behavioral addictions. The upcoming Integrative Addiction Conference being held in Austin, Texas covers these topics and many others.

There are a number of ways to potentially treat behavioral addictions. Some approaches may look to study extensively the genetics of the person and then decide the best approach to treatment that way. Others may focus on sociological and/or psychological factors. In essence, the distinction being made here is that of nature versus nurture. However, much like the great philosopher Aristotle said, the best approach to a person’s behavior would be one that understands thoroughly not one or the other, but rather, both of the areas. It is not nature or nurture – it is nature and nurture. The true cultivation of a human being and their habits is derived from both the people we were born as, as well as from the things we learn and the habits we acquire from our teachers and peers. These are simplifications alluding to the age old anthropological debate, but this should be understood as a mere analogy. An integrative approach to behavioral addiction then, is one that takes in to consideration both genetic or neurological data while also considering an individual’s unique social and psychological environment.

Check out the Integrative Addiction Conference Being Held In Austin, Texas

Modern medicine, then, coupled with psychological treatment should both play a role in a successful integrative approach to behavioral addiction. In fact, this traditional dichotomy, even when combined, is still outdated. It really should not stop there. An integrative approach to behavioral addiction can be taken in the most literal of terms. Thus a successful integrative approach to behavioral addiction should be multifaceted, incorporating a number or potential treatment styles. According to the integrated approach philosophy this is essential to maintain function and successfully treat addiction and recovery. The ideal therapy should incorporate a number of approaches such as neurological, social, communal, psychological, or familial factors. This is the basic idea behind the integrative approach to behavioral addiction.

The multifaceted and nuanced approach may bother some used to more cut and dry or traditional methods and approaches to behavioral therapy, but these integrated methods to not exist without justification. Quantitative and qualitative data informs such approaches. As human beings, we most often want to simplify things or put them in categories for our own convenience. In many instances, the underlying reality operating before us that is life is actually more complex than our natural capacities or inclinations want it to be.

For this reason, there is a general trend across various disciplines, academic and professional, that look to incorporate the most multifaceted approaches possible. Rather than relying only on medical data to provide research on depression pills, psychological information is understood to create a more informed outlook. Rather than looking only to the field of Archaeology to understand a given artifact, the field of History is referenced to better understand the social significance of the artifact. As opposed to only referencing empirical physical sciences and quantifier logic to write a contemporary analytic philosophy paper, the poetry of Goethe is referenced and adds perspective to a given metaphysics or epistemology by separating from the leaves and branches and showing us the trees and forest. The general professional and academic trend then is one of being multidiscipline, or multifaceted in approach. The former dichotomies of treatment then should no longer bind us and in fact, most evidence tends to point against them, at least in the most absolute and confining sense of the dichotomy.

Behavioral addiction

What we do know, however, is that the decisions that we make on a daily basis indubitably change the person who we become. This is why a more multifaceted and integrated approach is most likely the most logically sound and effective one. It allows us to take into consideration all of the individual’s unique factors when formulating a treatment plan. If someone is struggling greatly with food, it is important not only what his or her genetic predisposition is, but also what available food is around their everyday environment. Even further, why is it the case that this food is what is available? What are the current socio/economic conditions of the area the person is in? What other hurdles might be getting in the way or discouraging recovery? If there are any, what are the negative influences? Are they people? Are they activities? These are all potential things to consider if we want to have an integrated approach to behavioral addiction.

Similar questions (yet specific to each addiction) should be asked for both gambling and sex addictions as well. The complex physical, psychological, and social factors tend to determine an individual’s behavior. Because of this, an integrated approach to treating these addictive behaviors is a potentially successful and complete one.

The best way to learn all about the integrated approach to behavioral addiction is to attend the upcoming Integrative Addiction Conference being held in Austin, Texas.

Brain-Gut Addiction

February 15, 2016

How gut addiction affects mental health

There is currently a lot of research being carried out on the relationship between the gut and the brain, and how the gut can affect mental health and inform behavior. Studies have shown that microbes in the gut secrete dopamine and serotonin, and are, in fact, responsible for a large proportion of the production of these neurotransmitters. When the intestinal flora is out of balance, the production of neurotransmitters is affected, resulting in a wide gamut of psychological and mental disorders.

Brain-Gut Axis The microbiome of our bodies comprises more than 90% of the genetic material present. A study of these organisms and the effect that they have on our body chemistry and processes is a relatively new branch of research, and much of the interactions that govern their behavior and the impact that they have on our physiology are still unknown.

There are also about 100 million neurons embedded in the gut, which forms the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is largely autonomous and controls the digestive processes without input from the brain. This nervous system is also responsible for protecting the body from harmful elements that may enter the digestive tract along with the food ingested. This “second brain” employs much the same mechanics as the cranial brain, including the same neurotransmitters.

The sensory input received by the enteric nervous system is carried to the cranial brain using the vagus nerve, and most of the information flow in only one direction, from the gut to the brain. For instance, the enteric nervous system will inform the brain of contaminated food by inducing cramps or nausea, and passing the message to the brain via the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve also controls the chemical levels in the gut, keeping track of the nutrients absorbed from the food being digested. The behavior in test rats and mice clearly indicated that dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain were affected by damage to the vagus nerve, showing clearly that the brain is affected by what happens in the gut.

Because of the presence of the neurotransmitters in the gut, medications, and treatments for chemical imbalances in the brain, will also affect the gut. This is why the list of side effects for many mood-altering prescription drugs include diarrhea or constipation or other gut-related complications. Similarly, medication that affects the digestive tract will also impact the neurotransmitters in the brain.

Medications such as antibiotics have a marked impact on the intestinal flora that is responsible for the secretion of the neurotransmitters in the gut. Other by-products of the modern lifestyle such as heavy metals and surgical procedures, not to mention diets high in processed foods and simple sugars also greatly impact the chemical balance in the enteric nervous system.

When the chemical balance in the body becomes unstable, there are some reactions. As the beneficial gut flora becomes weakened, serotonin and dopamine levels are affected, which results in changes in our brain chemistry.

In the realm of food cravings and food addiction, it was thought in the past that cravings were the body’s way of asking for nutrients that it was lacking. New research tends to indicate that food cravings and addictions are in fact formed by the bacteria in our gut. For instance, individuals who crave chocolate have different gut microbiota to those who are indifferent to chocolate, even if their diet otherwise does not differ.

Check out our Integrative Addiction Conference 2016 being held in Austin, Texas

Brain-Gut Addiction Cravings and addictions can be the body’s way to express deficiencies in certain essential chemicals, such as dopamine or serotonin. A common side effect of dopamine imbalance is an addictive behavior. The person suffering from a shortage of these chemicals will try to find the reactions they create from external sources such as food, alcohol, or drugs. As the addictive substance further impedes the production of the necessary neurotransmitters, more and more is required to maintain the same level of reaction and response. The microbes in the gut also affect anxiety levels, which means that a person with a compromised gut will have a greater level of anxiety and depression, leading to a higher chance of dependence on and addiction to drugs and other mood-altering substances. Unless the root problem of the compromised digestive microbiota is addressed, there is also a greater likelihood that addicts will relapse after rehab, as a result of these elevated anxiety levels.

At the Integrative Addition Conference later this year, the link between the gut, the brain, and addiction will be discussed in more detail. Register at http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/ to learn more about the brain-gut link and addiction, and to attend the conference where expert speakers will address this and other topics.

Behavioral Addiction and Brain Function

February 12, 2016

Understanding Behavioral Addiction and Brain Function

Addictive behavior is a compulsion to repeat a rewarding non-drug related behavior repeatedly despite any consequences to the person’s physical, social, financial or mental well-being. There are genetic factors involved here. The gene transcription factor known as ΔFosB has been identified as being one of the critical factors in the development of addictive states in both behavioral and drug related addictive behaviors. Overexpression of this gene in the nucleus accumbens is both necessary and sufficient for the neural adaptations seen in addictive behaviors and drug addicts. A recent study suggested a cross-sensitization effect between drug-related behaviors and a natural reward which was mediated by ΔfosB. Besides this increased expression of ΔfosB, there are many other similarities in the neurobiology of behavioral/drug addictions.

One of the most important discoveries in the diagnosis and treatment of addictions is the recognition of the drug-based reinforcement and, more importantly, the reward based learning process. There are several structures within the brain that are important in the conditioning process of behavioral addiction. These are called sub-cortical structures. These sub-cortical structures taken together are called the reward system. This reward system is something that we all have—it is a necessary survival process, much like digestion.

Behavioral Addiction and Brain Function

One system being subjected to major study is the amygdala. The amygdala is a sub-cortical structure that is involved in emotional significance and associated learning. Research shows that dopamine-sensitive projections from the ventral tegmental area make possible a motivational or learned association with a specific behavior. This means that dopamine neurons play a significant role in the learning and sustaining of many acquired behaviors.

Three stages

There are three stages to the dopamine reward system:

the initial burst of dopamine
triggering of behavior
further, impact on the behavior

This means that the most common result of dopamine-based learning is to create addictive properties associated with certain behaviors. The way it works is that once the brain is electrically stimulated (possibly through the addictive behavior), there is a burst of dopamine. This burst of dopamine further triggers the behavior involved, which encourages these already-stimulated neurons to increase the stimuli. Once the behavior is triggered, it is very difficult to work away from the dopamine reward system.

The other side of this equation is the newly found idea that the human brain can anticipate rewards, and can be triggered by the brain’s early detectors of the reward, and can start triggering the behavior that starts the dopamine reward system. In some cases, it may lead to issues due to error. These errors can be used as teaching signals to create complex behavior tasks over time.

Diagnosis

At the time this article was written, the diagnostic models used do not have the necessary standards to identify behaviors as addictions in a clinical setting. Behavioral addictions have been proposed as a new class of diagnosis in the DM-5, but the only category included in this class is gambling addiction. Internet gaming addiction has been proposed in the appendix as a condition for further study, but this does not help in the diagnosis and treatment of other behavioral addictions such as sex addiction, or the various types of eating addictions.

Behavioral addictions are sometimes called impulse-control disorders. These disorders, which include gambling, consumption of alcohol, sex addiction (not limited to but including the use of pornography and sexual intercourse) eating disorders, use of computers and video games, use of the internet, shopping, exercise and stealing (shoplifting) are increasingly recognized as being treatable addictions.

Brain Function

In August of 2011, the American Society of Addictive Medicine issued the statement that defined all addictions regarding brain changes. Their statement read in part, “Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, memory, motivation, and related circuitry.” This means that all addictions are potentially susceptible to treatment with pharmaceuticals.

This is the first time that the American Society of Addictive Medicine has taken the position that substance abuse is not just about substance dependence. It is about how the brain function of addicts differs from the brain function of non-addicts. The emphasis here is not on the external factors that act on the reward system but on the system itself. Food, sexual behaviors, shoplifting, and even chronic hair-pulling can all be linked to this “pathological pursuit of rewards” talked about in this new definition of addiction.

The thing is, we all have this reward system. It is a survival mechanism, creating the desire for things that offer satisfaction, like food and sex. However, in a healthy person, there is a feedback system that limits our consumption. In an addict, these feedback systems seem to either be absent or, in fact, dysfunctional to the point that instead of “enough” the addict wants “more”. This is what leads to the unhealthy pursuit of these items. So anyone who has one addiction is vulnerable to others, but this also points to the possible development of effective treatment for addictions that have historically been hard to manage.

Understanding Behavioral Addiction and Brain Function

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