Tag Archives: brain and addiction

Career and drugs

Brain pleasurable principle and drug addiction

October 6, 2016
Brain pleasurable principle

Brain pleasurable principle and drug addiction and when the brain needs to be protected the most

Brain pleasurable principle and drug addiction: Neurotransmitter 

One of the functions of the brain is to registers all pleasures as they happen and in the same way, irrespective of their origin. That is whether they are associated with a psychoactive drug, a monetary reward, a sexual encounter, or a satisfying meal. The fact is in the brain pleasurable priniciple has a distinct role which is the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, a cluster of nerve cells lying underneath the cerebral cortex. Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens is so consistently tied with pleasure that neuroscientists refer to the region as the brain’s pleasure center.

All drugs of abuse, from nicotine to heroin, cause a particularly powerful surge of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. The likelihood that the use of a drug or participation in a rewarding activity will lead to addiction is directly linked to the speed with which it promotes dopamine release, the intensity of that release, and the reliability of that release. Therefore addictive drugs provide a shortcut to the brain’s reward system by flooding the nucleus accumbens with dopamine. The hippocampus lays down memories of this rapid sense of satisfaction, and the amygdala creates a conditioned response to certain stimuli.

Brain pleasurable principle and drug addiction: Learning the process

Previously it was believed that an experience of pleasure alone was enough to compel people in to consistent seeking of addictive elements or activities. However new research findings indicates that the situation may be more complicated. This is because dopamine’s are not only responsible for the experience of pleasure but are also playing a role in learning and memory which are the two key elements in the transition from liking something to being addicted to it. Currently the philosophy about addiction is that dopamine interacts with another neurotransmitter, glutamate to take over the brains system of reward related learning. Remember that this system has an important role in sustaining life because it links activities needed for human survival (such as eating and sex) with pleasure and reward.

Finally, it may interest you to note that the reward circuit in the brain may include areas involved with motivation and memory as well as with pleasure. Addictive substances and behaviors stimulate the same circuit and then overload it. And therefore repeated misuse of any addictive substances or behavior will cause nerve cells in the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex (the area of the brain involved in planning and executing tasks) to communicate in a way that couples liking something with wanting it, in turn driving us to go after it. That is, this process motivates us to take action to seek out the source of pleasure. This can be very unhealthy more so if the source of pleasure is drugs. Many often run to drugs for pleasure and as such, the prevalence of drug abuse is on the rise. We can choose individually and collectively to correct this by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury MD, who is a veteran addiction expert and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for help today.

Brain pleasurable principle and drug addiction: Neurotransmitter 

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Addiction consequences

Brain changes effected by drug addiction

September 30, 2016
Brain changes effected

Brain changes effected by drug addiction. Curing the addicted brain from the effects of drug addiction

Brain changes effected by drug addiction: The prefrontal cortex

When the brain changes effected by drug addiction is wearing you down, there will always be some remedial actions to be taken. The prefrontal cortex will enables us to make rational, sound decisions. It also helps us to override impulsive urges. If acted upon, these impulses urges can cause us to act without thinking. This is usually not in our best interest. For instance, suppose I’ve had a bad day at work. I may have an impulsive urge to tell my boss exactly what I think of her. To act on this impulse is not in my best interest. Fortunately, my prefrontal cortex is functioning quite well. I still have my job!

Obviously, this ability to inhibit impulses is very helpful. It enables us to function well in society. It protects us from harm by allowing us to consider the consequences of our actions. However, when the pre-frontal cortex is not functioning correctly, the opposite occurs. Addiction causes changes to the prefrontal cortex. These changes account for two characteristics of addiction: impulsivity and compulsivity.

Impulsivity is the inclination to act upon sudden urges or desires without considering potential consequences. Sometimes people describe impulsivity as living in the present moment without regard to the future. On the other hand, compulsivity is a behavior that an individual feels driven to perform to relieve anxiety. Once a person performs the compulsive behavior, the anxiety goes away and restores comfort. Thus, the presence of these behavioral characteristics in addicted persons indicates that changes to the prefrontal cortex have occurred. Unfortunately, these changes also make the discontinuation of drug use more difficult.

When we talk of addiction changes brain structure and their functions, the message being delivered is that an addiction is a process that coordinates the transition from impulsive to compulsive behavior. Impulsivity occurs during the early stages of addiction. During this phase, people impulsively act on powerful urges to experience the pleasure of their addiction. Anxiety is not associated with the urges during these early stages. Instead, addiction reflects acting on impulsive desire to receive immediate pleasure from the drug or activity. People are not considering the future consequences.

Brain changes effected by drug addiction: The shifting progress of addiction

As addiction progresses a shift begins to occur. At this point, the compulsive aspect of addiction takes hold. When this shift occurs, people are no longer pursuing their addiction solely for pleasure. The compulsions compel them to participate in their addiction to relieve anxious, uncomfortable feelings. These may rise at the mere thought of stopping addiction for any reason (supply shortages, lack of opportunity, etc.). At this later compulsive stage, “pleasure” comes in the form of relief from these anxious, uncomfortable feelings. Thus, despite the negative consequences of addiction, the addictive behavior continues in a compulsive manner.

Finally although addiction damages the brain’s brakes (pre-frontal cortex) this is not to say there is a complete loss of control. We are not slaves to our biology. We have a tremendous amount of control over our actions.  This is true even when impulsive and compulsive forces are operating. This recognition is vitally important if someone wishes to recover from addiction. When a person consciously decides the costs of addiction outweigh its benefits, they become motivated and able stop. This allows them to actively counter the effects of addiction on the frontal cortex and other brain regions. Therefore if this description suits your situation, then you are in the right path and calling doctor Akoury today will go a long way in helping you solve all the addiction problems you may be having.

Brain changes effected by drug addiction: The prefrontal cortex

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The pain of addiction

Drug alterations of the brain structures and functions

September 28, 2016
Drug alterations

Drug alterations of the brain structures and their functions. In fact stabilizing the brain is actually stabilizing the whole person’s health

Drug alterations of the brain structures and their functions: Effect on the Cerebral Cortex

The brain as an organ is a single unit which is driving the whole body daily operations. It is composed of many different parts otherwise known as regions and structures. The brain’s main role is that of transmitting effective communications to various parts of the body. This communication system enables the various regions and structures to coordinate their activities well. Each of these regions and structures are independent and serves different purposes. One of the biggest enemies to these regions and structures is the problem of drug addiction. The drug alterations of the brain and structures does not go well with proper brain functionalities. In this article, we are going to discuss the regions and structures that are affected by the addictive process. It is therefore very important to appreciate that addiction changes brain structures and their functions in very many ways. And going forward, we will be relying on the expert opinions from doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in reviewing the brain’s role in some of the commonly observed problems associated with addiction including the following:

  • Impaired decision-making, impulsivity, and compulsivity
  • Drug-seeking and cravings
  • Habit formation, craving, withdrawal effects, and relapse triggers and
  • Stress regulation and withdrawal

Drug alterations of the brain structures and their functions: Impaired decision making, impulsive and compulsivity

The cerebral cortex is the outer most layer of the brain. The cerebral cortex is further divided into four areas. These four areas are: the frontal lobe (or frontal cortex), parietal lobes (left and right), temporal lobes (left and right), and occipital lobes (left and right). Each area is associated with certain brain functions: One area of the frontal cortex is called the prefrontal cortex. It has a vital role in higher-order functions. These functions include language, spatial learning, conscious thought, judgment, and decision-making. The process of addiction can negatively affect this area and alter its functioning. That is why we must always ensure that the brain is well protected from all the harms of drugs.

And to effectively address the drug alteration of the brain structures and functions, doctor Dalal Akoury MD made a decision to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This is the place to be for all your addiction related problems and you will surely have your life back. All you have to do is to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury on telephone number 843 213 1480 and your problems will be in safe hand for total recovery.

Drug alterations of the brain structures and their functions: Effect on the Cerebral Cortex

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addiction

Marijuana ruins brain health and the life value

September 28, 2016
Marijuana ruins brain

Marijuana ruins brain health and the life value in away that can be very destructive to your health

Marijuana ruins brain health and the life value: Central nervous system

Somebody once said that life begins and ends at the brain. The moment the brain stop functioning, life ends instantly and when the proper functionality of the brain is affected in anyway, then at that time irregular kinds of behaviors will be noticeable. Because of this we must do all it takes to ensure that the brain is healthy all the time. According to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, who is a veteran expert in addiction is confirming to us that marijuana ruins the value of your health and so when one inhales marijuana smoke into the lungs, the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinal (THC) moves swiftly into the bloodstreams where it is a gain hurriedly transported into your brain and to the rest of the other body’s organs. This swift movement normally takes place when the substance is administered into the body through smoking. However when the substance (marijuana) is taken in a mixture of food or drunk, then its absorption into the body systems will take place a bit slowly.

Marijuana ruins brain health and the life value: The delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinal (THC)

The entry of THC into your system will trigger your brain to release large amounts of dopamine which is a naturally occurring “feel good” chemical. It is this release of dopamine that gives the users the pleasant “high.” It may heighten your sensory perception, as well as your perception of time. In the hippocampus, THC changes the way you process information thereby impairing your ability to make good decisions and judgment. Besides that it may also be very difficult to form new memories when you’re in this state of being high.

Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are in agreement that these changes can also take place in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, upsetting your balance, coordination, and reflex response. All these changes are very useful since they communicates powerfully that when you are having this state of mind, therefore, for safety reasons, it will not be advisable for such people to sit on the driver’s seat. Alongside with that it has been established that very large doses of marijuana or high concentrations of THC can also cause hallucinations or delusions.

According to NIDA, there may be an association between marijuana use and some mental health problems like depression and anxiety however more research is still needed to understand the exact connection. And when it comes to people who have schizophrenia, marijuana use can make symptoms worse. Up to that point I want to pose and offer some solutions to those who may be finding it difficult to cope with marijuana smoke or any kind of substance abuse. When you have realized that you have the symptoms of addiction, you need to take action immediately. The sooner this is done the better. You can now schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for you to benefit from her great expertise and experience. I encourage you to take that bold step and do the right thing for your health and that of your family who are very much concern about your suffering.

Marijuana ruins brain health and the life value: Central nervous system

 

 

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Career and drugs

Heroin assignment in the brain

September 9, 2016
Heroin assignment

Heroin assignment in the brain are never good for human health in general

Heroin assignment in the brain: Facts about heroin addiction

When you ask me this question how does heroin work in the brain? I will respond to help you not get confused as to whether heroin is good for your health or otherwise. You cannot gamble with your life and most importantly your health. For your information, this I the most valuable asset one can ever possess in life. When experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center say that your health is your health, it is not a gimmick. It is a confirmed fact and you can attest to it even as a layman. Heroin as a drug has nothing to offer in the protection to this most valuable yet priceless asset called health. And just to erase the confusion from your mind if any, doctor Dalal Akoury the MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center explains that, under normal circumstance the heroin assignment in the brain generally human body is to naturally produce its own opiate-like substances and uses them as neurotransmitters.

As we progress into the discussion about heroin assignment in the brain, let me make emphasis that in a different way, I have not just singled out heroin but substances like opiate. Meaning that some of the substances am alluding to may include endorphins, enkephalins and dynorphin and collectively they are commonly known as endogenous opioids. Endogenous opioids modulate our reactions to painful stimuli and this is where many go wrong and are attempting to associate heroin with proper functionality of the brain. That aside these endogenous also regulate vital functions such as hunger and thirst and are involved in mood control, immune response, and other processes.

Heroin assignment in the brain: Exogenous substances

And now as to the reason why opiates like heroin and morphine are affecting us so powerfully is that, these exogenous substances bind to the same receptors as our endogenous opioids. There are three kinds of receptors widely distributed throughout the brain including the mu, delta, and kappa receptors.
These receptors through the second messengers, influences the likelihood that ion channels will open, which in certain cases reduces the excitability of neurons. This reduced excitability is the likely source of the euphoric effect of opiates and appears to be mediated by the mu and delta receptors.

This euphoric effect also appears to involve another mechanism in which the GABA-inhibitory interneurons of the ventral tegmental area come into play. By attaching to their mu receptors, exogenous opioids reduce the amount of GABA released. Remember that under normal circumstances, GABA reduces the amount of dopamine released in the nucleus accumbens. By inhibiting this inhibitor, the opiates ultimately increase the amount of dopamine produced and the amount of pleasure felt. Besides that doctor Akoury says that the chronic consumption of opiates inhibits the production of cAMP. However this inhibition will be offset in the long run by other cAMP production mechanisms. When no opiates are available, this increased cAMP production capacity comes to the fore and results in neural hyperactivity and the sensation of craving the drug. And with craving you can easily continue in the addiction life. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, wants to help you defeat all these and set you free from all manner of addiction. You can call her today to schedule for that important appointment.

Heroin assignment in the brain: Facts about heroin addiction

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