Medical Breakthrough: Cranial Electrotherapy Leading Fight against Cigarette Smoking

Of all forms of addiction, tobacco is the most regularly abused. This is majorly because of its addictive content, nicotine. Addiction is majorly characterized by its rewarding and compulsive nature. These two make quitting a difficult process. Addiction has little or no regard to health consequences, however dire. It is said most smokers recognize use of tobacco as harmful and often they express a desire to moderate or desist from using it in vain. Reports indicate close to 35 million tobacco users express willingness to shun however over 85 percent of them who take their own initiatives each year often relapse, mostly within a week. And yet a very small portion of the remaining 15% attains full recovery.

How Cigarette Smokers Get Addicted to Nicotine

The addictive substance nicotine once smoked causes a number of effects in the brain. Nicotine like other addictive substances activates pleasure axes of the brain. It also increases levels of one key pleasure causing chemical component of the brain called dopamine. The brain has a way of developing a pathway of things commonly used through a process neuroplasticity. This way long term exposure to nicotine leads to increased levels of dopamine production. The whole process therefore leads to addiction of nicotine and tobacco for that matter. The addictive substance also has pharmacokinetic properties, which acts to reinforce the addiction. Learn more about nicotine addiction via www.awaremednetwork.com.

Cranial Electrotherapy

The road leading to addiction is as straight as the above explanation. Nicotine addiction is also rewarding and repetitive, literally making smoking fun. But there are consequences, most of the time dreadful. This reminds us the way back to recovery. Unlike the road down to addiction, the one back to sobriety is rough and bumpy. Sometimes it is so rocky we get stuck, other times it’s so muddy and slippery we get back down to nicotine addiction and wait for another season like the 85%. After a few more attempts, we lose hope and let nature take its course. Recovery then seems impossible, however it is within reach. And we can give it one more shot. Only this time differently. How about battling cigarette smoking using the recent medical breakthrough, cranial electrotherapy?

Symptoms of Nicotine Addiction

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include anxiety, irritability, increased appetite, craving, depression, short-lived attention spans, and sleep disturbances. There are a number of clinical other methods in use however none comes out a clear cut treatment option. Replacement therapies such as gum, inhalers, and patches may attempt take out the pharmacological characteristics of withdrawal but often cravings never seize. Cranial electrotherapy however is slowly gaining popularity for its convenience, comfort and comparative cost.

New Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a type of brain stimulus that passes a small, pulsed electric current from one corner to another of a patient’s head to cure some of the addictive symptoms earlier mentioned including; anxiety, depression, chronic pains and insomnia among others. Cranial electrotherapy involves the use of a small hand-held electric, home based medical device. Even though recently approved, CES has been around for some time, it has been used in our psychiatry clinics for a period many years.

Cranial electrotherapy Simulation devices generate 1/1000, the output of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and connected with sponge conductors on both sides of the head. Patients are required to use the device for about 20 minutes twice every day during the first 6 weeks, then less frequently as recommended by a physician. Actually the device is convenient and more easy to use; this is because it allows the patients go about their morning and evening routines comfortably. The electrical current must be gentle, not greater than 4 mA. They are often these often called electroceuticals; not quite as handy as popping a pill, but a lot more convenient than the trans cranial magnetic stimulation or ECT treatments.

Zero Side Effects of CES

Various medical research studies indicate cranial electrotherapy causes no adverse effects other than headache or dizziness in less than 1 of 250 patients. Cranial therapy is again a cheaper way of treatment compared with others. The cost of the CES ranges from $600 to $800 depending on the features and the place of origin, the manufacturer. Reports also purport cranial electrotherapy increases cognitive abilities of the patients, especially when they are chemically dependent. Also, the use of cranial electrotherapy does not need monitoring hence cutting down on costs.

Cranial Electrotherapy

Despite the benefits mentioned immediately above, many experts discourage use of cranial electrotherapy during pregnancy. Research on effects of CES on milk production is ongoing and until it is considered safe, doctors have warned against its use by expectant mothers. Most of the experts however opine cranial electrotherapy has no effect on milk production and or continued lactation. More research on cranial electrotherapy and its’ safety with the expectant and the unborn is ongoing with further revelations expected in this year’s upcoming August Integrative Addiction Medicine Conference. To learn more about the same and sign up for a chance to participate click on: http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com.

Medical Breakthrough: Cranial Electrotherapy Leading Fight Against Cigarette Smoking

IV NAD: The Best Addiction Treatment

March 1, 2015

IV NAD Is the Best Addiction Treatment

After a long term use of drugs of abuse as a result of addiction to the drugs, the body’s cells, tissues, organs and neurotransmitters will be affected adversely by the drugs. It is therefore important to correct this during treatment therapy. NAD IV therapy can be used to replenish the drained enzymes and target brain restoration

What is IV NAD?

NAD is an abbreviation of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme that is present in all living cells. The compound is a dinucleotide, this simply means that it consists of two nucleotides joined through their phosphate groups. One nucleotide contains an adenine base and the other nicotinamide. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide exists in two forms, an oxidized and reduced form abbreviated as NAD+ and NADH respectively. It is therefore safe for us to say that NADH is a reduced form of NAD. IV NAD is a crucial coenzyme in metabolism. In metabolism, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is involved in redox reactions, carrying electrons from one reaction to another. The coenzyme is, therefore, found in two forms in cells: NAD+ is an oxidizing agent – it accepts electrons from other molecules and becomes reduced. This reaction forms NADH, which can then be used as a reducing agent to donate electrons. These electron transfer reactions are the main function of NAD. Therefore there is need for a balance between the NADH and the NAD to maintain a favorable environment for homeostasis. Apart from its functions in electron transfer, the NAD has other functions in the body such as being a substrate of enzymes that add or remove chemical groups from proteins, in posttranslational modifications. Owing to its importance on performing these functions, the enzymes involved in IV NAD metabolism have been targeted to help come up with drugs that could heal different complications.

IV NAD

The IV NAD and the NADH are crucial in the production of energy in the mitochondria. What happens after eating is that the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats from our diet provide the building blocks to our bodies. Energy that is produced from citric acid cycle makes NAD and links it to hydrogen forming NADH which enters the electron transport chain in the mitochondria and is sparked with oxygen which breaks the nutrients to give energy through oxidation. This energy enables the heart to beat sufficiently and enable muscle contraction providing cellular energy that is required by the body cells to function. The energy that is produced is also used by the brain therefore if the level of NADH is low then the brain will not function well at the same time if NAD level is low then production of energy will be low. There is need to establish a favorable ratio between the NAD and NADH since without a good balance of the two then there will be fatigue and depression which are factors that mostly deter addicts from quitting using their substances of abuse.

In most cases IV NAD deficiency is first evident in brain-related symptoms of poor concentration, difficulty focusing, and attention deficit disorders. If the energy shortage lasts long enough, brain neurons cannot synthesize neurotransmitters. When this occurs, the molecules of consciousness such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline are affected. Anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and other mood changes can then arise. These are not good for addicts as they may trigger them to use drugs as escapade. Many addicts got trapped after trying using drugs as self-medication against fatigue and depression. This even lowers NAD level even further and it is a continuous vicious cycle. It is also important to note that the crucial enzymes that catalyze the Citric Acid Cycle are inhibited and may get destroyed by chemical toxins that create oxidative or free radical damage. The sources of this damage are substances of abuse like cigarette smoke, drugs, and chronic stress. This problem may also be caused by exposure to myriads of toxins.

IV NAD the best therapy for addiction

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide often abbreviated as NAD is a metabolic co-enzyme and is charged with the important job of structuring, repairing, and remodeling every cell in the body. Drug use often leads to destruction of many cells and nerves in the body and therefore any addiction treatment therapy must seek to restore the health of the damaged tissues in order to give a lasting healing effect on the client. It is therefore important that there are adequate levels of NAD in the body.

IV NAD

IV NAD deficiency in the body can be corrected by having an IV NAD therapy. This will not only increase the production of energy but will also increase the level of NADH which is critical for enzymatic action. The IV NAD goes straight to receptors in the brain and so is not digested in the stomach. Another reason for ensuring balance between NAD/NADH is that the correct ratios will help in restoring damaged neurotransmitters by drugs. It is a detoxifier that works faster as it takes only few days rather than weeks or months to flush out stored drugs from the body and its organs, replenish balance in the brain, and reverse damage. Results can be mental clarity, cognitive function increase, focus and concentration returns, more energy, better mood, positive outlook.

And finally, AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center encourages addicts to come for addiction recovery .We have qualified doctors who will see to it that every addict is helped to break the bond of addiction and enjoy life of freedom. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is committed to availing help to every patient. Call on her at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.