Tag Archives: drug addiction and the brain

Tools of addiction

Drug use cravings and the brain

May 13, 2017
Drug use cravings

Drug use cravings and the brain have nothing in common

Drug use cravings and the brain: Addictions effect on the brain’s reward system

The delicate functions of the brain demand that at no given time must we have an unhealthy brain. The problem of drug use cravings will, however, not allow this to be. And because the brain is the brain’s reward system which is part of the survival system, in many instances we often experience an urgent need for food whenever we are starving and generally have a powerful desire for sex too. According to doctor Dalal Akoury, MD President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the brain’s reward system rewards food and sex because they ensure our survival. Unfortunately, drugs of abuse operate within these reward systems which leads people to experience an urgent need or powerful desire for drugs or addictive activities.

The brain’s reward system has ensured our species survival. You may not have known but food, water, and sex are some of the elements that activate the reward system. Therefore when the brain’s reward center is activated, it releases dopamine which then creates a pleasing, enjoyable sensation to motivate us into repeating these behaviors necessary for our survival. That is happening because dopamine has rewarded us with a pleasurable feeling. Doctor Akoury recommends that from an evolutionary standpoint, it is helpful to have a reward system that works.

For example, when there is very little food and you’re wandering around looking for food, and when you finally find something to eat, this triggers your reward system. This pleasing feeling (dopamine “reward”) will become associated with whatever behavior that led you to that food. This causes you to want to repeat that behavior. Moreover, the reward system is closely tied to emotional and subjective memories. If you were successful and found food in a particular place for instance, in the future you will want to look for food in the same location. This reward system increases the likelihood that you will be successful in finding food there the next time. This is because your brain chemicals are rewarding you with a pleasing sensation. It also helps you to remember how and where this pleasant feeling occurred.

Drug use cravings and the brain: Negative dopamine reward sensation

It will come to you as a surprise that the element that motives your survival is the very same reward system that ensures your survival and also rewards drug use. Doctor Akoury reiterates that all addictive substances and activities will trigger the release of dopamine which rewards us with a pleasant sensation thereby succeeding in motivating us to continuously indulge in these harmful behaviors. It is nowadays common knowledge that peoples with addiction problems will all it takes to get their drug of choice and in the same way, they continue with their addiction despite the harm it causes to themselves or their loved ones. It is therefore very important to note that all these characteristic of addictive behaviors arise from the brain’s pleasure and rewards centers. Therefore seeking for lasting solutions becomes a must to do for all victims. This may not be a very popular thing owing to the addictiveness of some of these drugs, but nonetheless, it is the best option if you want to have a healthy life that is free from all sorts of addiction. You can schedule an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for the commencement of your journey to recovery.

Drug use cravings and the brain: Addictions effect on the brain’s reward system

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drug-abuse

Substance abuse manipulations in the brain

May 12, 2017
Substance abuse manipulations

Substance abuse manipulations in the brain takes effect immediately traces of substances reached the brain

Substance abuse manipulations in the brain: The brain influence of drugs

Without perfection in the brain’s health, we cannot be sure of our health. The brain being the coordinator of all body functions must be protected from all the harms of substance abuse manipulations. With a well-functioning brain, we can competently say that we are healthy. Any negative effect on the brain affects human health adversely. This is because the brain is the engine that drives human body meaning that if the brain is healthy, it will process and transmit healthy information to various parts of the body. However, when the brain is contaminated, all the processed information will be contaminated too. That is why we need to understand, protect and maintain the brain in perfect health if we want to get full optimum from it. The brain must be cared for well and kept safe from all the substance abuse flow which are likely to bring damage to it.

Substance abuse manipulations in the brain: The brain’s adaptation to the environment

Because of the sensitivity of the brain functions, I am persuaded that you to find out how to protect it from any known harms. Therefore, it will do you good to keep on the link to find out more from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury. According to these experts, the proper functionality of the brain delivers quality assurance of our very survival. Doctor Akoury says that when the brains function well, we are constantly adapting or adjusting to our environment changes well. What many may not know is that this smooth adaptation is the work of our brain. And ironically, it is the brain’s ability to be so adaptive that contributes to the formation of all manner of addictions. From the various studies conducted by researchers across the globe, it has been established that addiction has a direct effect on the brain and that it causes changes in the brain in at least four fundamental ways:

  • Addiction causes changes to the brain’s natural balance (homeostasis).
  • Addiction alters brain chemistry.
  • Addiction changes the brain’s communication patterns.
  • Addiction causes changes to brain structures and their functioning.

The findings listed above will help us understand the importance of the brain and why we must protect it from the effects of drug addiction which has been sighted as one of the main course of damage to this very vital organ. Doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are going to be very resourceful even as we discuss each of these fundamental changes that come with the effects of addiction to the brain progressively. You certainly don’t want to miss this and so we invite you to stay with us on the link and be enriched with this worthy health information. But in the meantime, if you are struggling with any kind of addiction, you may want to consult with doctor Akoury for a more professional undertaking today.

Substance abuse manipulations in the brain: The brain influence of drugs

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pornography-brain

Drug brain alteration effects

April 10, 2017
Drug brain alteration

Drug brain alteration effects are very evident in the brain’s communication system

Drug brain alteration effects: The complex nature of the brain

The brain is the engine that drives the human body to greater productivity in all aspects. Its health is very important for the delivery of this productivity. That is to say, if the brain is healthy, it will be able to process all the information it receives in a healthy manner, in the same way, if it is incapacitated with an impurities, substance abuse influence to the brain is one of the major source of the impurities that hinders the brain from functioning optimally. To avert this we all have a duty to play by first understanding the brain well and also to care for it well by keeping it safe from all the dangers caused by substance abuse besides other elements away from drugs.

Drug brain alteration effects: The direct effects of drug abuse on the brain

To understand the serious effects substance abuse influence has to the brain, we make reference to the various findings from the studies conducted by researchers across the globe, the studies has established that addiction has direct effect on the brain and that it causes changes in the brain in at least four fundamental ways:

  • Addiction brings alterations to the brain’s natural balance (homeostasis).
  • Addiction changes the brain chemistry.
  • Addiction changes the brain’s communication patterns.
  • Addiction causes changes to brain structures and their functioning.

With the help of the professionals at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, we are going to discuss each of these fundamental changes that come with the effects of addiction to the brain progressively in our subsequent postings. So that you don’t miss out we want to request you to keep on the link and be the first to know.

Drug brain alteration effects: The smooth adaptation to the environment

Finally even as we make further exploration to this topic, it is important noting that the brain is the most dynamic and complex organ in our bodies. We are preparing a very rich menu for you to help you in taking full control of your health beginning with your brain. Our team of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury will be ensuring that all your addiction related concerns are professionally addressed. According to these experts, there is no doubt that substance abuse influence to the brain is raising havoc to most communities. This needs to be corrected so that the proper functionality of the brain that delivers quality assurance of our very survival is restored. Doctor Akoury says that when our brains (the human brain) functions well, we are constantly adapting or adjusting to our environment (our surroundings) changes well. What many may not know is that this smooth adaptation is the work of our brain. And ironically, it is the brain’s ability to be so adaptive that contributes to the formation of all manner of addictions.

Drug brain alteration effects: The complex nature of the brain

 

 

 

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brains and addiction

Hypothalamus brain area and drug addiction

April 7, 2017
Hypothalamus brain area

Hypothalamus brain area and drug addiction has nothing in common and must be avoided at all cost

Hypothalamus brain area and drug addiction: Stress management

Of the components of the brain, the hypothalamus brain area often bears the greater risk of attack by substance abuse. This is the part responsible for several functions including body temperature regulations, hunger, thirst, and sleep. Besides these functions, the hypothalamus also helps in the interpretation of how we respond to stress. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under doctor Dalal Akoury MD President and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center, it is almost impossible to talk about addiction without the mention of stress. Stress regulation is relevant to our understanding of addiction. And that is why we want to explore further into details the effects of addiction on the hypothalamus brain area alongside the regulation of stress and withdrawal.

When one is stressed up, the hypothalamus releases chemicals known as hormones which allow’ the brain and the body to respond to that stress. Unlike neurotransmitters (which are chemicals limited to the brain) hormones travel throughout the body via the blood system. It, therefore, means that hormones can exert an effect on other body systems as well. When these chemical hormones operate in the brain, we refer to them as neuromodulators. These hormones (neuromodulators) can act just like neurotransmitters in the brain. Like neurotransmitters, they have their own receptors associated with them.

Hypothalamus brain area and drug addiction: Stress the relapse trigger

It will interest you to note that stress is a relapse trigger to all users of drugs. It’s capable of prompting powerful cravings in addicted persons. I can, therefore, say with certainty that majority of us in one way or another have come across someone struggling with an addiction and tried quitting but ultimately relapsed when they became stressed out. Doctor Akoury says that under normal circumstances, at the beginning periods of recovery withdrawal symptoms often create stress and the vicious cycle continues. It is however very important to appreciate that stress will always prompt the addictive use, while efforts to discontinue use prompt stress.

During withdrawal, these stress hormones are elevated. Even though stress levels are high, the brain’s anti-stress neuromodulators appear to decrease, as do dopamine and serotonin in the nucleus accumbens. This suggests that withdrawal affected the reward system (evidenced by decreasing dopamine and serotonin). At the same time, withdrawal activates the stress and anxiety systems. This “1-2 punch” heightens the negative experience of withdrawal. This prompts people to seek relief via the addictive substance or activity (i.e., relapse).

In summary, the neurotransmitter pathways associated with the amygdala and the hypothalamus play a crucial role in sustaining the addiction process and this occurs through:

  • The negative emotional memory that is associated with drug withdrawal
  • The positive emotional memory that is associated with drug cues
  • The disruption that occurs to stress regulation
  • The pleasurable relief from withdrawal symptoms that occurs by resuming drug use or addictive activities

Finally, your good health depends heavily on how healthy your brain is. And that is why we recommend that from time to time, you should seek professional advice from experts so that corrective measures can be taken. Remember that this is in line with doctor Akoury’s profession and calling her now should be your starting point.

Hypothalamus brain area and drug addiction: Stress management

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motor neuron cells

Brain unique functions and addiction

April 4, 2017
Brain unique functions

Brain unique functions and addiction have no relations and must not be compromised

Brain unique functions and addiction: Neurons and brain communication pathways

The study of some of the elements that cause health problems in our life can be very interesting. Understanding the brain unique functions and how it can be altered by addiction to various substances is very important. The brain communication pathways become the biggest victims whenever there is an attack resulting from drug abuse. The brain’s electro-chemical communication system is a communication system that sends information through a vast network of interconnecting neurons. Through this, the brain begins to develop a preferred or standard conduit of sending signals between neurons (neural pathways). Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD President and founder of the facility can now confirm that in the past it was believed that the brain’s neural pathways will be completely formed by the time we reached adulthood.

Brain unique functions and addiction: Neurons adaptation to changing environments

Progressively the scientific findings have established that this is a continuous process and in fact, the human brain continues to create new neurons and form neural pathways throughout our entire lifespan. That is why neurons are seen as dynamic cells that are constantly adapting to changing circumstances. It, therefore, means that if an injury or damages happen to an individual’s brain (such as a stroke or injury) the neurons will make new communication route around the damaged area. Scientifically doctor Akoury reiterates that this ability of recreation of neurons is known as neuronal plasticity.

Brain unique functions and addiction: Neuronal plasticity

Doctor Akoury reiterates that neuroplasticity is responsible for the regulation of our learning processes which enables us to adapt to our surroundings conveniently. To better understand neuroplasticity let us consider using this illustration. The brain forms neural pathways in a way that is similar to the formation of a demarcated hiking pathway. The more we travel a path, the faster, easier, and more familiar that path becomes. As the routine continues it becomes more visible, smoother, and easier to travel on. And with time this becomes a preferred route for many. This is also how neural pathways are formed. With time the brain forms familiar neural pathways which then become habitual routes. And in the event that the familiar route is blocked the brain responds swiftly by forming a new route around the blockage.

From the illustration, suppose you walk through the bush each day to visit a friend. You use the same trail each time and one day as you travel along your familiar path, you discover a huge tree has fallen over. It’s blocking your passage. You will need to forge a new path to go around the tree. At first, this new path will be narrow, difficult, and slow. It might even be uncomfortable. However, with time, it will become a well-worn, comfortable path. It will be just as easy as the original path. This can be affected by the use of drugs in many ways and to avoid that, it is only logical that you schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury to help you in keeping your brain unique functions uninterrupted for continuity.

Brain unique functions and addiction: Neurons and brain communication pathways

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