Tag Archives: Dopamine and addiction

gut-neurotransmitters

Drug addiction mutilates brains health

May 30, 2016
Drug addiction mutilates brains health

Drug addiction mutilates brains health leaving serious problems behind

Drug addiction mutilates brains health: What is drug addiction?

You probably have heard this statement that “your health is your wealth” and didn’t take it seriously because you are so much rooted in search for the physical wealth. Your health is much valuable than any asset you can talk of anywhere in the world. That may not make sense now but wait until drug addiction mutilates brains health. Addiction has been defined in very many ways but for the purpose of this article, it is a chronic brain disease that causes users of alcohol and drugs to compulsively seek for those substances, regardless of the harm associated with them. From the experts’ opinion at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, when one is first introduced to drugs, it’s usually a free choice made without any form of duress. And as the individual continues to use the substance, the brain becomes the first casualty. The brains functions get altered and the user of drugs gets motivated to continue using the drugs even despite knowledge of the consequences attached.

Doctor Akoury says that when drug addiction mutilates brains health, the result can be very devastating. Some of the consequences may include: loss of job, theft, violence and other physical or mental problems like depression, stress and anxiety. In her over two decades of experience, doctor Akoury advises that the following are some of the effects to be careful about:

Drug addiction mutilates brains health: Pleasure Effect

The pleasure effect is one of the notable cause where drug addiction mutilates brains health. This is mostly associated with several drugs including drugs of abuse like nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and others. What these drugs do is that they affect the brain’s “reward” circuit, which is part of the limbic system that responds to feelings of pleasure by releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine. Take note that dopamine also creates feelings of pleasure. Drugs take control of this system, causing large amounts of dopamine to flood the system. This flood of dopamine is what causes the “high” or intense excitement and happiness also known as euphoria linked with drug use.

Drug addiction mutilates brains health: The repeat effect

The repeat effect happens because our brains are tuned in such a way that we will remember to repeat healthy activities, like eating, by connecting those activities with feeling good. Whenever this reward circuit is triggered, the brain immediately remembers that something important is happening that needs to be done. Besides that, it also teaches us to do it continually, without thinking about it. In the same way, since drugs of abuse come in and “hijack” the same circuit, users will learn to use drugs in the same way.

The effect of that is that after repeated drug use, the brain begins to adjust to the flows of dopamine. Neurons may also begin to reduce the number of dopamine receptors or simply make less dopamine. The result is less dopamine signaling in the brain like turning down the volume on the dopamine signal. As a result, the ability to feel any pleasure is reduced. The person feels flat, lifeless, and depressed, and is unable to enjoy things that once brought pleasure. At this point the person needs drugs just to bring dopamine levels up to normal, and more of the drug is needed to create a dopamine flood, or “high” an effect known as “tolerance.” This is now being in the high way of destruction and treatment needs to commence right away. Doctor Akoury will be waiting for your call today.

Drug addiction mutilates brains health: What is drug addiction?

 

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addiction-overlap

Obesity and Addiction: Food and Drug Reward Overlap in Brain

February 24, 2016

Obesity and Addiction:  Food and Drug Reward Overlapping Circuits in Human

Obesity can be a consequence of hormone imbalance, genetic mutations, and other diseases, but obesity can also be a direct result of eating disorder – food addiction. What do food and drugs have in common? They can both make you addicted and have adverse effects on your life and do severe damage to your health. Food and drug reward overlapping circuits prove our body is amazing work of art: there are millions and millions of processes going on, and our brain can develop good or bad habits, depending on many different factors. Finding the similarities between obesity and addiction helps treat the disorder more efficiently and proves everything can be normalized once the real cause of the problem is detected.

food and drug reward overlapHow food and drug reward circuits overlap?

The key word to this question is dopamine. This hormone plays an essential role in both food and drug addictions. Overeating is the first signal of addiction. Any other consumption of food other than eating from hunger is driven by reward properties that affect mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathways. Although food and drugs activate DA pathways differently, the result is the same: our body produces hormone of happiness as if we did something good and got rewarded for it. Just like Pavlov’s dog, our body produces dopamine even before the food is consumed, making changes in our brain and causing the circle of addiction. Our brain tricks us and makes us think this food will do us good and that we need to eat it: we see food, our brain sends the signal of happiness and desire to eat it; we eat it because we want this dopamine hormone to increase; we connect food consumption to the feeling of pleasure, and we practically become addicted to dopamine caused by food consumption. This is the reward cycle which is pretty much similar to drug addiction.

How is addiction born?

If this action of consuming food when not hungry repeats over time, supraphysiological DA is repeatedly stimulated and this causes plastic changes in the brain. This means we will react the same way over and over again because our brain is used to perceiving food as a reward. Vulnerable individuals are more likely to develop food addiction and to have “plastic changes in brain”. If you want to learn more about addictions, how and why they appear and how different addictions are treated, register for Integrative Addiction Conference (http://integrativeaddictionconference.com ). Educated professionals will share their knowledge, latest researches in science and their experience with you.

What kind of cycles exists?

Proper functioning of neuronal circuits is required to gain the ability to resist the urge for drugs or food. Six of those circuits are important for addiction: reward/saliency, inhibitory control/executive function, conditioning/habits, motivation/drive and interoception and aversion avoidance/stress reactivity. What maintains the overconsumption of foods or the taking of drugs is the discrepancy between the blunted neurophysiological effects and the expectation for the food/drug effects (conditioned responses).

Drug addicted and obese individuals have more in common than impairments in dopaminergic pathways. These pathways regulate the neuronal system, which can be associated with more than reward sensitivity. Conditioning (learning/memory), stress reactivity, impulse control and interoceptive awareness are also controlled by the neuronal system and are affected by dopaminergic pathways. Dopamine controls all these and is the key to both drug addiction and obesity.

According to neuroimaging studies, the middle insula plays a critical role in cravings for cocaine, cigarettes and – food. Individuals with damage in this region are more likely to stop with their addictions without experiencing relapse or cravings. The insula has another important role: it is a primary gustatory area. This area participates in many aspects of eating behavior, for example in taste. On the other side, the rostral insula (which is connected to primary taste cortex) processes and represents the pleasantness or reward value of the food one is about to eat. Insular is involved in the interceptive sense of the body, in motivation, in emotion and emotional awareness; therefore, a contribution of insular impairment in obesity is expected.

addiction overlapIntegrative Addiction Conference is the place where you can find much more about the connection between drug addiction and obesity and the way the brain works. Visit our website and register for this incredible educational experience:  http://integrativeaddictionconference.com/

Although obesity and addiction overlap in the brain circuits, there is still a difference: food intake behavior regulation is much more complex than the regulation of drugs. Drug intake is mediated by rewarding effects of drugs while food intake is controlled not only by hedonic factors (rewarding factors) but also by multiple peripheral and central factors; these factors are the so-called homeostatic factors; they sense the nutrient requirements of the body necessary for survival). Science is discovering more and more evidence that homeostatic factors (insulin, leptin, ghrelin…) modulate food intake; homeostatic factors increase and decrease the sensitivity of brain reward circuits to food stimuli.

Overall, the rewarding cycle is present in both food overconsumption and drug abuse; there are many more overlapping points of two circuits. You can find out more at the conference. Professionals will give you any information you need and remove your doubts. Visit the website and register for education: http://integrativeaddictionconference.com/

 

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sex-addiction-treatment

Sexual Addiction: No Shame Dealing With Recovery.

February 23, 2016

Shame Reduction: The Best Way To approach Sexual Addiction treatment.

Sex is a need. Sexual addiction isn’t. Human nature has done so much in confusing the two statements. Just like alcoholism, too much sex ends up as an addiction, and if not watched, it can go as far as needing some counselling intervention to save the situation. It isn’t right to call it a disease simply because, unlike alcohol or drug use, humans are naturally created to desire sex. The most disturbing fact is that sexual desire can get out of your control.

treating sex addictionInstead of controlling your craving, your sexual craving might end up controlling you. As a result, you might find yourself doing it in appropriate places, taking a break during an important meeting to save yourself the trouble or even worse, getting involved in sexual crimes such as rape and more. If your sexual journey approaches a destination, where it controls you, it is advisable to seek some help. However, this doesn’t seem much of a solution for several reasons that are,

  • There are lower chances of sexual addiction ruining your life
  • Too much sex isn’t one of the most dangerous diseases that needs immediate attention
  • Sexual addiction is normal and lastly,
  • You don’t need to discuss your sexual life with anyone.

The truth is, you might not see how dangerous sexual addiction is until you start searching for articles such as dangers of too much sex, masturbation health risks and more. Why are you doing trying to link your situation with health risks? Simple, you are looking for help. The question is, why not come forward and explain your situation to an expert face to face? Also simple, you are ashamed.

You don’t want to accept that your addiction as become a problem simply because you are worried about what others might think about you. What you mustn’t forget is that not everyone takes alcohol, smokes or do drugs. However, when it comes to sex, a normal human being needs it. There are millions of sexual addicts out there including your role models, rich people around the world, public figures, celebrities and more. What makes you different?

It doesn’t matter, what you have done or plans to do in future. It doesn’t matter what is happening to you right now. Get a chance of beating shame by attending Integrative Addiction Conference and realize what other sexual addicts and experts around the world have in store for you. For more information visit, http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/. At this conference, you’ll learn how to use shame reduction tools against sexual addiction.

What Are The Causes Of Sexual Addiction

  • Watching too much Porn: You don’t get to like something because someone does it, but you might be influenced to do it if you are there to watch him or her do it all the time. Porn movies are meant for sexual arousals. Most of the times, watching porn is accompanied by masturbations and other sexual activity simply because watching it will automatically stimulate the sexual hormones in your body that in turn will make you want sex.
  • Childhood abuse: The world is full of paedophilia (Adults who are attracted to children). This kind of people can’t help abusing children simply because they are also addicts. If this kind of behaviour isn’t noted earlier, the child ends up getting used to it and takes it with him or her to adulthood. It is evident in several studies that a good number of sexual addicts were abused during their childhood.
  • Social influence: Most sexual addicts pick this behaviour at an adolescent stage, where peer pressure rules. It doesn’t matter whether you are gay, a lesbian or straight. If you like hanging around sexual addicts, you will become one.
  • Hormones: Humans were created with a hormone called androgen. This hormone affect the levels of libido and according to studies, it can cause sexual addiction. Most of the sexual addiction treatments involve reducing the effects of androgens. The treatment involves using several remedies such as Anti-androgens and more.

 

Developing Sexual Boundarytreating sexual addiction

Going through the sexual addiction influences above, we realize that some of them are avoidable. One of the most amazing facts is that your body can’t trigger itself to have sex. It depends on what you watch, where you touch, who you hang out with and most importantly, your principles. One of the most effective tricks to employ when dealing with sexual addiction is setting up a boundary. You must make decisions for your life, choose when and where to have sex and lastly who to have sex with. To achieve this, you need a boundary that will warn you each time you are about to encounter anything that might trigger you to have sex either at an inappropriate time, place or person. Here are some of the tips on sexual boundary development that will help you control your sexual desires.

Most of the times, sex addicts aren’t in control of their cravings simply because they allow other things or people decide for them when to have sex. As a result, they end up engaging in sex even when they don’t feel like. Engaging in sex is a decision you need to make alone. If you feel you aren’t ready, don’t let anyone lure you into doing it. You must know your limits: When it is bad and when it is not bad for you and most importantly, where and where not to do it.

Sex isn’t money or a gift you can owe anyone. It is an agreement between two partners to have it at an appropriate time and place. Most sex addicts find themselves engaging in sex just because, they fear that their lovers might leave them. They find themselves being controlled and as a result, become sex addicts. What you must remember is that your lover will only break your relationship if he or she is only interested in sex part but not the whole you.

You can’t just have sex with anyone simply because it robs you of your dignity. You have to keep that in your mind whenever you are about to have sex. Having sex isn’t a sign of engagement. What does that make you? How do you explain that to your husband or wife in future when he or she realizes that you did have sex several years back with your co-worker, friend or any other person that you might be close to? If you respect your dignity, it is vital to be aware where your girlfriend or boyfriend stand when it comes to a relationship.

One of the things that might haunt you in future is engaging in sexual intercourse in a less private location and as a result being caught in the action. Sex was meant for privacy or else; there would be nothing like cheating. You can’t just have sex anywhere simply because it might change how others view you. Another factor to consider is that, if you are fond of having sex anywhere, then there are high chances that you might have it at workplace with your boss, in a taxi with a taxi driver, in a public toilet with a watchman or your ex or the worst part, in the hospital with a doctor.

In summary, sex isn’t something to brag about. That’s one of the reasons; most sexual addicts are not coming forward for help. You might be a born paedophile, gay, lesbian or even attracted to animals and funny objects. If you don’t seek help earlier, chances that it will develop into something much bigger are high. You don’t need to be ashamed. At the Integrative Addiction Conference, you’ll meet all sorts of sexual addicts who will also have come to learn some few techniques of shame reduction as a remedy for their problem. For more information on Integrative Addiction Conference click here, http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/

 

 

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Dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction

August 13, 2015

Dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction: Risk and reward that trigger for the release of dopamine

Dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction

Dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction must never be ignored since it forma part of finding the solution

Dopamine is neurotransmitter in the brain that plays vital roles in a variety of different behaviors. The major behaviors dopamine affects are movement, cognition, pleasure, and motivation. Dopamine is an essential component of the basal ganglia motor loop, as well as the neurotransmitter responsible for controlling the exchange of information from one brain area to another. However, it is the role that dopamine plays in pleasure and motivation that attracts the most neurobiologists attention. And that is why our discussion is focusing on dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction in this article. We would appreciate if you can stay with us on the link so that together we can learn and take action where necessary in order to defeat addiction. Nonetheless for a better understanding of this topic, we are going to be relying on the expert opinion of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) who is also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This is a facility that she founded primarily to make a difference in the life of people who are suffering from the various forms of drug addiction which is very rampant in the current societies we live in.

For better understanding of this point doctor Dalal Akoury says that in certain areas of the brain when dopamine is released it gives one the feeling of pleasure or satisfaction. These feelings of satisfaction become desired, and the person will grow a desire for the satisfaction. To satisfy that desire the person will repeat behaviors that cause the release of dopamine. For example food and sex release dopamine. That is why people want food even though their body does not need it and why people sometimes need sex. These two behaviors scientifically make sense since the body needs food to survive, and humans need to have sex to allow the race to survive. However, other, less natural behaviors have the same effect on one’s dopamine levels, and at times can even be more powerful. Often these behaviors can result in addiction due to their effect on dopamine, and that addiction can have negative effects on a person’s well-being.

Dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction: Cocaine

Cocaine is by far the more severe in relation to other substances in terms of addiction. Cocaine chemically inhibits the natural dopamine cycle. Normally, after dopamine is released, it is recycled back into a dopamine transmitting neuron. However, cocaine binds to the dopamine, and does not allow it to be recycled. Thus there is a buildup of dopamine, and it floods certain neural areas. The flood ends after about 30 minutes, and the person is left yearning to feel as he or she once did. That is how the addiction begins and with time adaptation builds up due to the fact that the person is consistently behaving in the same way that he or she had the first time. However, the individual cannot, because dopamine is also released when something pleasurable yet unexpected occurs. During the first time, the person expects the effect, thus less dopamine is released, and the experience is less satisfying. This cause explains why gambling releases dopamine.

Many studies have been done which targeted neural response to rewards. The findings were in agreement that when one performed an action repeatedly, and is given a reward randomly, the dopamine levels rises. If the reward is administered for example every four times the action was performed, the dopamine levels remained constant. Whereas when no reward is given dopamine levels dropped. These random rewards can be seen in gambling and since the outcome is based on chance, one may not know prior if he or she will win. Therefore, if he or she wins, dopamine levels increases. However, unlike cocaine, gambling causes addiction in relatively low levels of participants. This is because Cocaine’s chemical input is much more influential on dopamine levels than gambling’s behavioral input meaning that only people whose dopamine levels are low, become addicted to gambling.

Dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction: Variance in dopamine levels

This is may be due to genetics, environment related or a combination of factors. A study concluded that pathological gamblers most often experienced traumatizing experiences when they were younger. Since most people who became addicted to gambling have low dopamine levels, and also that same group usually has endured a traumatic experience, it was concluded the overall dopamine levels can change due to environmental factors. This supports the opinion that both the mind and the brain can change due to environmental factors. However in yet another study it was established that a gene related to dopamine is sported twice as often in pathological gamblers than non-gamblers. To this effect, doctor Akoury says that this view seems to supports the observation that dopamine levels are genetic. We can therefore come up with two possible observations. Either both genetics and environmental factors affects ones brain anatomy and mind simultaneously, or that environmental factors can affect genes which in turn affect ones brain and mind.

Dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction: Why is risk and reward a trigger for the release of dopamine?

It’s scientifically logical that sex and food release dopamine, because they are essential for the life of human beings. Risk and reward are not.  It is believed that everything happens for a reason; meaning, there must be a scientific explanation for the increase of dopamine levels as a result of risk and reward. Like for instance the human race is different from other species on this planet not only by its ability to reason, but also its ability to create and be innovative. Therefore nature dictates that humans are creative and innovative, and for this to happen a person should have some level of satisfaction when one accomplishes an innovation. Doctor Akoury agrees that for one to accomplish an innovation he/she must take certain risks. It is risky to try to do something that no other being on earth has ever accomplished. Therefore, there must be a reward other than material that one gets when he or she accomplishes the innovation, otherwise that person would not take the risk. The reward here is the release of dopamine and the feeling of satisfaction. The problem with this process is that not only can one be satisfied after a major risk and accomplishment, but that one can also be satisfied through constant minute risks and accomplishments.

The feeling of satisfaction that dopamine exhibits are so strong that one can often lose his or her ability to reason in order to achieve satisfaction. It is that unconscious state of mind that takes over and begins to make certain decisions. The brain develops neural circuits that unconsciously assess reward. Since dopamine plays an active role in these circuits, people will act in what they think is in their best interest, when in fact the only interest it satisfies is the release of dopamine. This can be exemplified in gambling where one insists on gambling even though he or she knows that the odds are against them. Finally we appreciate that there is a lot of scientific explanations in this topic which may not be very clear to many people and if you are one of them then we are more than ready at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to listen and help you be on the know. All you have to do is to call doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) who is also the founder of the facility for an appointment and all your concerns will be addressed professionally.

Dopamine the neurotransmitter role in drug addiction: Risk and reward that trigger for the release of dopamine

 

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Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin

August 12, 2015

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin: Why Ritalin can be addictive

mesolimbic dopamine system

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin is very crucial if we are to defeat all the elements of addiction that are associated with it.

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin begins by first appreciating their roles into the brain. These drugs can be very addictive if taken in higher doses. In fact Ritalin works by increasing the dopamine output in the brain, which helps to improve concentration. Dopamine is also the neurotransmitter very much associated with reward and pleasure in the brain, and for this reason when Ritalin is taken in higher doses than the recommended amounts it can result in euphoria. Anything that causes a psychotropic reaction (a high) can result in a psychological addiction, and Ritalin is no different. Patients with ADHD who require Ritalin therapy are given the medication in gradually increasing dosages to slowly and steadily build up base levels of dopamine in the brain, and when this process occurs over time and in a controlled manner, there is no intoxication, and there is no risk of addiction.

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin: Addictive if abused

When people take the medication for non-clinical reasons, they tend to take a higher dosage, do get high, and with prolonged abuse do find themselves addicted. Adults and children taking the medication for a legitimate medical condition, and following a doctor’s recommendations for dosage amounts and frequency, have little to worry about. Adults prescribed Ritalin sometimes do experiment with higher doses, and there have been thousands of cases where parents may also take and abuse their children’s medications. Although not as potent as a strict amphetamine, the abuse of Ritalin can be quite pleasurable, and is also associated positively with weight loss, and as such can be quite tempting.

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin: Ritalin withdrawal symptoms

Doctor Dalal Akoury says that once a person becomes addicted to Ritalin, when they try to stop taking the drug, they will experience a syndrome of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms of withdrawal include: Tiredness, anxiety, depression, lethargy, hunger, cravings and many other symptoms.

The withdrawal and detox off of Ritalin presents very similarly to other psycho stimulants like crystal meth and cocaine, and the symptoms are predominantly internal and psychological in nature. Detox can best be accomplished in a facility away from access to the drug, and with the prescription of appropriate psychiatric medications that can take the edge off the depression and anxiety.

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin: Adderall

Adderall is commonly prescribed to patients who have difficulty controlling their actions, maintaining focus, or staying awake. It contains the active ingredients dextro-amphetamine and levo-amphetamine, both of which are psycho-stimulant amphetamine molecules. Adderall was first introduced into the public in 1996 as an instant-release (IR) drug by Shire Pharmaceuticals. In 2006, a new version, Adderall extended release (XR), was made available as well. While the instant-release drug requires 3 hours to reach its maximum plasma concentration after consumption, the extended release version takes up to 7 hours to do so. Some of the known side effects of Adderall include insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, and hallucination. Adderall has been found to be addictive and dangerous to the health of some patients. Several withdrawal symptoms include panic attacks, seizure, fatigue

, and depression.

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin: The Chemistry and Mechanisms behind Adderall

The structure and action of Adderall resembles that of recreational drugs such as methamphetamine and MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) (also known as ecstacy). Adderall is a phenylalkylamine, consisting of a phenyl ring and nitrogen group. The molecular resemblance of Adderall to catecholamine neurotransmitters underlies the similarities in physiological function between Adderall and these natural neurotransmitters.

The amphetamines in Adderall can bind to receptors that are normally activated by specific catecholamines produced by different glands in the body (including the hypothalamus and adrenal medulla). Amphetamine can also result in the release of more neurotransmitters that can activate sensory regions throughout the nervous system. When these psycho-stimulants activate receptors in the brain, the emotional response consists of euphoria, insomnia, increased alertness, and, sometimes, anxiety or psychosis. Peripherally, the binding of amphetamine compounds to catecholamine receptors can result in a physical response that may include the vasoconstriction of blood vessels, tachycardia, and hypertension.

In addition to stimulating the release of catecholamines, the amphetamines in Adderall also inhibit the function of monoamine transporters, which function in the re-uptake and recycling of catecholamine neurotransmitters in order to terminate the neural signal by removing the neurotransmitters from the synapse. In effect, Adderall stimulates sensory systems by maintaining the concentration of neurotransmitter in the synapse. Adderall also partakes in a “reverse-transport” or efflux process in which the amphetamines are transported from the synapse through the transporters into the presynaptic neurons and the catecholamines are simultaneously transported from the presynaptic neurons through the transporter into the synapse. This leads to an increased concentration of neurotransmitters in the synapse, allowing them to trigger receptors and activate the neuropsychological effects mentioned above. Finally, amphetamine and its analogs also enhance the synaptic neurotransmitter concentration by acting as competitive inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters. In all these if you want to be safe, it is necessary that you keep in constant consultation with the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury and you will not be caught an aware.

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin: Potential for Abuse

Adderall has high risk for dependence and addiction. It is hypothesized that the addictive characteristics of Adderall are due to the activation of the mesolimibic dopaminergic pathway, in which the amphetamine in the drug binds to the transporter of the neurotransmitter dopamine to prevent removal of dopamine from the synaptic cleft. By prolonging the presence of dopamine in the synapse, amphetamine produces the long-lasting side-effects of euphoria, pleasure, and concentration. In addition, the highly connected neural circuits in the central nervous system can transport dopamine from one part of the brain to another, resulting in the proliferation of the chemical signal.

Adderall abuse can also cause dangerous physiologic effects such as hypertension, seizures, and mydriasis (dilation of the pupil). Increase in blood pressure is thought to be caused by the continued release of norepinephrine. The constant stimulation of nerve receptors is the mechanism behind Adderall addiction. With continued use over time, a tolerance is developed to Adderall, as seen with other addictive drugs as well – the more frequently these drugs, including Adderall, are used, the greater the amount that is needed to supply a response. The reinforcement behavior produced by Adderall can eventually cause long-term dependence.

Research has found that under some circumstances, Adderall can induce psychosis in adolescents comparable to schizophrenia. Though the precise mechanism is not clear, it is possible that this effect is due to an increased amphetamine-induced dopamine release. The symptoms cleared in patients who withdrew from using Adderall. The chemical similarity between natural neurotransmitters in the body and Adderall increases both the likelihood and degree of abuse. Thus, until the risks of psycho-stimulants are understood in more detail, it is advisable to remain cautious about prescribing Adderall to those with ADHD.

Understanding the substance Cocaine and Adderall Ritalin: Why Ritalin can be addictive

 

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