Tag Archives: Dopamine

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Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics

July 30, 2016
Dopamine reward master

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics. The neurotransmission and substance abuse needs immediate treatment

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics: Mesolimbic pathway

While we were looking at the dopamine influence in substance abuse, it became quite clear that when the brain’s reward center is activated, it releases dopamine which then creates a pleasing, enjoyable sensation primarily to motivate us into repeating these behaviors which are necessary for our survival. The reason why this is happening is because dopamine has rewarded us with a pleasurable feeling. That in itself is a testimony that dopamine reward master is the fueling the human survival. With that understanding of the purpose and functioning of the brains reward system. It would be important that we interrogate its (dopamine reward master) functions a little bit further.

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics: Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

The circuit most associated with pleasure and reward is the mesolimbic pathway which is located in the brainstem. The objective of this area of the brain is primarily concerned with basic survival. Within the mesolimbic pathway is an area called the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The VTA projects to the nucleus accumbens (thought to be the reward center). The neurotransmitter most commonly linked with the mesolimbic system is dopamine. Many people consider dopamine to be the driving force behind the human pursuit of pleasure. The release of dopamine is a pleasurable sensation. The release of dopamine motivates us to repeat behaviors or activities that prompted this release. This system’s purpose was to promote survival by rewarding life sustaining behaviors such eating and procreation.

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics: Nucleus accumbens

All addictive drugs and activities release varying amounts of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens with stimulant drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine releasing the most. However when it comes to drugs like alcohol or heroin, the brain’s own opiate system (endorphins) also gets involved. Doctor Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center reiterates that even though different forms of addictions have different effects in the nucleus accumbens, they share one common denominator, that is, they all activate the reward system which in turn motivates us to repeat those behaviors, even though they may be harmful. Besides what we have discussed about the concepts of reward, pleasure, and craving together, it is however very important to appreciate that there is a distinction between pleasure-seeking and drug seeking. Note that pleasure-seeking is all about the pleasurable, rewarding aspect of addiction while drug-seeking refer to the craving aspect of addiction. Dopamine may be more involved in drug-seeking (craving) component of addiction. The opiate (endorphin), GABA, or glutamatergic systems may be more involved in pleasure-seeking aspect of addiction too.

Finally pleasure-seeking and drug-seeking (cravings) are inter-related, yet distinct. Research has established that natural rewards (food, water, sex) typically lessen their influence on the reward system over time. As a behavior occurs more often, dopamine levels tend to decrease in the process. Psychologists call this habituation. This makes sense. Once you’ve eaten enough food, you don’t need to be rewarded for eating more food. Then you would be eating too much, or too much of one type of food. Therefore everyone needs to take heed of keeping the brain free from all attacks be it from substances or otherwise. Talking to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury should be your starting point. Call us today to schedule that very important appointment today for the commencement of your journey to full recovery from your addiction.

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics: Mesolimbic pathway

http://www.awaremednetwork.com/

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Neurotransmission and substance abuse

July 12, 2016
Neurotransmission

Neurotransmission and substance abuse needs immediate treatment

Neurotransmission and substance abuse: Why immediate solution is necessary?

Neurotransmission is a recurring process that emerges in several steps utilizing specialized components of the sending and receiving cells. Through this, it will then identifies the exact step that the specific substance disrupts, and how it does that by providing very vital insight into its effect on the victim. It is also very essential in the identification of medical and behavioral interventions that inhibits, counter, or reverse the disruption. And from the experts point of view at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, MD so many substances that re being abused today actually imitates the functions of neurotransmitters. Doctor Akoury reiterates that a number of opioid drugs like heroin and OxyContin chemically resembles the brain’s natural opioids sufficiently to engage and stimulate their specialized receptors. And being a strong stimulant, heroin therefore stimulates so many receptors beyond what the brain is able to use in the normal cycle of endorphin. The consequences of that will be a massive amplification of opioid activities.

Neurotransmission and substance abuse: Molecular components

If you are abusing any drug, it is very important that you seek for immediate treatment from the experts. Doctor Akoury and her team of experts will be very helpful to you if only you can schedule for an appointment with her today. Treatment is very important because majority of these drugs normally alters the neurotransmission by interacting with molecular components of the sending and receiving process other than receptors. Like for instance cocaine normally attaches to the dopamine transporter, the molecular conduit that draws free-floating dopamine out of the synapse and back into the sending cell.

Neurotransmission and substance abuse: Cocaine dopamine connection

It must be noted that as long as cocaine still occupies the transporter (neurotransmission), the dopamine cannot re-enter the cell using this route says doctor Akoury. It builds up in the synapse, stimulating receiving cell receptors more abundantly and producing much greater dopamine impact on the receiving cells than occurs naturally. The Cocaine’s Dopamine Connections will then tallies some of cocaine’s interactions with the mechanisms of dopamine signaling, and how they motivate abuse and contribute to dependence and addiction.

Finally, doctor Akoury registers that, under normal circumstances, some drugs will alter the neurotransmission using other means besides increasing or decreasing the quantity of receptors stimulated. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam, enhance receiving cells’ responses when the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) attaches to their receptors. Benzodiazepines’ relaxation effects result from this increased sensitivity to GABA’s inhibitory impact on cellular activity. Therefore it will not matter how it happens, the best you can do for yourself is to seek for lasting solutions today. The establishment of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center gives you an opportunity of regaining your health today if only you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today for the commencement of your recovery process.

Neurotransmission and substance abuse: Why immediate solution is necessary?

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Understanding process addiction today

July 8, 2016
Understanding process addiction

Understanding process addiction today. Intervention personal health behavior change comes with real life benefits we cannot ignore

Understanding process addiction today: When it begins with a single behavior

For a very long time people did not believe that process or behavioral addiction can pose threats. They were seen as actions of leisure and therefore very harmless. But today that is no longer the case. Understanding process addiction as one associated to certain activities or processes such as sex, eating, gambling, internet surfing, video gaming and tanning as opposed to a “substance addiction” like that of drugs or alcohol. Nonetheless experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, MD have established that process addictions are “real” addictions and not just that, they’re sharing many commonalities with drug addiction.

Behavioral addictions can be debilitating and difficult to overcome just as drug and alcohol addictions. Current research supports the growing understanding that process addictions impact chemicals in the brain much the same way as illicit substances. And because of that it will interest you to note that when you visit us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center our approach is to professionally look at all addictions, whether they surface as substance abuse or compulsive behaviors because one common denominator they have is that they are fueled by certain underlying issues like trauma, attachment and neglect and beside that they are typically perpetuated by co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and personality disorders. We therefore take it upon ourselves to professionally help our clients address these challenges and heal deep emotional wounds to enable them lead healthy and much fulfilling lives without the need for destructive coping mechanisms that present as behavioral addictions. The following are some examples of process addictions:

Understanding process addiction today: Gambling addiction

Gambling is any behavior that is likely to cause disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. Gambling is associated with a condition known as pathological or compulsive gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, “chasing” losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of serious negative consequences.

Understanding process addiction today: Compulsive shopping or spending

Shopping addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s life, family and finances. Anyone suffering from this get a similar type of “high” from shopping just in the same way as those struggling with other addictive behaviors. In some individuals, shopping binges can trigger endorphins and dopamine, the “feel good” chemicals in the brain, reinforcing the behavior.

Understanding process addiction today: Sex and love addiction

These are intimacy disorders that fulfill unmet, deeply ingrained needs for control, power, love or affection. Both conditions are strongly associated with early childhood trauma and carry a great deal of shame. Like all addictions, sex and love addiction are progressive in nature. Over time, the addict craves more frequent, intense or unusual experiences to achieve the initial sense of relief or euphoria. Sex and love become destructive to the individual’s health, relationships, career and finances, yet the addict is unable to control their behavior. This list is not comprehensive and therefore, there is more which you can get upon scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury today and you will be professionally assisted.

Understanding process addiction today: When it begins with a single behavior

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Methamphetamine strategies effects to the brain

June 7, 2016
Methamphetamine strategies effects

Methamphetamine strategies effects to the brain. Anything affecting the health of the brain is dangerous

Methamphetamine strategies effects to the brain:  The release of dopamine

Methamphetamine strategies effects to the brain is design in a way that it causes the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. This will make users to feel pleasure whenever they engage in activities like listening to music, playing video games, or eat tasty food. Methamphetamine’s ability to release dopamine very quickly in the brain produces the feelings of extreme pleasure, sometimes referred to as a “rush” or “flash,” that many users experience. After the effects have worn off, the brain has less dopamine, which can lead to depression.

Regular use of methamphetamine causes chemical and molecular changes in the brain. The activity of the dopamine system changes, causing problems with movement and thinking. Some of these changes will continue for several days or weeks even after the individual user has ceased using methamphetamine. Although, some may reverse after a person is off the drug for a long period of time, perhaps more than a year, methamphetamine strategies effects may destroy nerve cells that produces dopamine and another neurotransmitter called serotonin says doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center.

Methamphetamine strategies effects to the brain: Other effects of meth

The release of dopamine in the brain causes several physical effects, similar to those of other stimulants like cocaine which may include the following:

  • Increased risk for HIV/AIDS or hepatitis (a liver disease) from unsafe sex and shared needles
  • Higher body temperature
  • Higher blood pressure
  • Feeling very awake and active
  • Fast heart rate and irregular heartbeat

Methamphetamine strategies effects to the brain: Effects of long-term use

Continued methamphetamine use may cause effects which are likely to last for a long time, even after the individual user quits using the drug. Some of the lo-term effects may include:

  • Violent behavior
  • Skin sores caused by scratching
  • Severe weight loss
  • Severe dental problems, known as “meth mouth”
  • Psychosis (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there)
  • Problems with thinking, emotion, and memory
  • Problems sleeping
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety and confusion

Finally it is evident that methamphetamine strategies effects to the brain can cause serious damage to the human health. And remember that the most valuable asset you will ever have is good health. This drug (meth) should not cause you great pain if you can get real time treatment from the home of experts at AWAREmed Health and Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury today. Therefore if this description suits your concern, then you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for a one on one deliberation that will make you have your life back and not just having it back, but leaving it to the fullest.

Methamphetamine strategies effects to the brain:  The release of dopamine

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MDMA capsules effects on the brain

June 6, 2016
MDMA capsules effects

MDMA capsules effects on the brain

MDMA capsules effects on the brain: Neurotransmitters

MDMA capsules effects on the brain can be very systematic in the sense that once the pill or capsule is swallowed it doesn’t take long to take effect. From a professional point of view it only takes about 15 minutes for MDMA to enter the bloodstream and move to the brain. MDMA capsules then produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters which are the chemical messengers of brain cells. Such neurotransmitters include; serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

According to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, the serotonin system plays an important role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feeling of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA are likely to cause mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or “hyper,” at first. Some lose a sense of time and have other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

Some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy. Even those who don’t feel negative effects during use can experience negative aftereffects. These aftereffects are caused by the brain no longer having enough serotonin after the surge that was triggered by using MDMA. Days or even weeks after use, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety?

MDMA capsules effects on the brain: Effects of Long-Term Use

There are conflicting reports and researchers are not even sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes in people, or whether the effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention. That is a clear indication that proper precaution needs to be taken to avert further damage. Therefore if you are struggling with MDMA you can seek for help from the home of addiction experts with doctor Dalal Akoury today and all your health concerns will be addressed professionally.

Other effects of MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)

The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in so many other ways including the following:

  • Blurred vision
  • Chills or sweating
  • Faintness
  • Higher body temperature
  • Increased risk for unsafe sex
  • Increases in heart rate and blood pressure
  • Muscle tension
  • Nausea
  • Teeth clenching

Finally it is important to note that because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart’s ability to beat normally.

MDMA capsules effects on the brain: Neurotransmitters

 

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