Tag Archives: Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)

April 18, 2014

Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)-Addiction Recovery using Intravenous NAD & amino acids

Neurotransmitter

Besides Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR), Addiction Recovery can be achieved by physical activities.

The first step in addiction recovery is a functional medical investigation targeting the conditions in the body that facilitates fatigue, anxiety, depression, reduced pain tolerance, poor focus and the likes. These common underlying conditions include food sensitivities, gluten intolerance, adrenal and thyroid imbalances, malabsorption, neurotransmitter deficiency and NAD deficiency. Since these issues are treatable, normally with nutritional supplements and diet, the patient receives intravenous NAD and amino acids based in individually designed protocols for a 10 day period of time. The IV NAD and amino acids improves brain function based on higher levels of cellular energy production along with increased neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. There could be some withdrawal symptoms for a period of two or three days which is easily manageable and so should not worry you much. After three to five days as withdrawal symptoms disappear, craving subsides and clarity of thinking is restored.

It should be noted that this treatment is not a substitute for recovery, but it is the beginning of the process of healing. The moment the brain and body are functioning better, the patient has the energy, clarity and focus to engage in the recovery process. The patient will be able to understand the reasons for compulsive behavior and with better health and motivation they can stop compulsive behaviors and make informed choices that are self-supportive rather than self-destructive.

Some studies done in the past five decades reveals the efficacy and safety of IV NAD in detoxifying patients from alcohol, opiates, tranquilizers and stimulants.  Like the early studies, our experience with the protocol over the past five years substantiates its benefits in greatly reducing withdrawal symptoms, as well as reducing, and often eliminating the cravings.

At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s there are tailor made programs provided to individual, family and group therapy. Patients are provided with continued integrative care for their underlying medical problems, which helps them to timely feel better physically and mentally. This way they are more likely to continue healing psychologically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Depending on case by case at least two year commitment to after care treatment is critical because the underlying psychological issues which often lead to substance abuse must be resolved for long lasting recovery.

Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)-Addiction

It is a disease in the body and the mind and successful therapy depends on treating both.  Mind-Body medicine is based on the unity of mind and body and focuses on promoting health and balance in the mind-body, thereby providing highly effective therapy for addiction.  If you detoxify, or withdraw, from alcohol or a drug, but do not address the conditions in the body that create fatigue, depression, and anxiety, then relapse is more likely and therapy has been incomplete. Similarly, if you withdraw from a substance and do not understand the psychological and spiritual issues that promoted the need for it, then relapse is likely and the “lessons of disease” have not been learned.

Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)-The body

Integrative, or, functional medicine provides the tools to assess and treat the conditions in the body that contribute to fatigue, depression, and anxiety, thereby increasing the likelihood of chemical dependency.  These include:

  • Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) deficiency
  • Neurotransmitter deficiency (serotonin, GABA, adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, etc)
  • Metabolic cofactor deficiency
  • Pyroluria
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Adrenal fatigue
  • Intestinal yeast overgrowth
  • Delayed onset food sensitivities
  • Gluten intolerance

These “terrain issues” in the body need to be properly treated in order to make detoxification easier and to prevent relapse.

Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)-The mind and spirit

However, addiction is also disease in the mind. The fact that the mind rules the body is, in spite of its neglect by biology and medicine, the most fundamental fact which we know about the process of life.

The origins of most physical disease are within consciousness – the body is the messenger of the conflicts, sustained fears, suppressed emotional traumas, disturbed patterns of thinking, and other imbalances that lie within the conscious and unconscious mind.  Many people have painful childhood experiences, including patterns of neglect, smothering control, abandonment, and emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Later on there can be failed relationships, years of marital conflict, and the pain of loneliness. Many experience decades of unfulfilling employment, foiled personal creativity and the quiet desperation of a slowly dying spirit. These life experiences contribute to relentless anxiety, depression, denied emotions, destructive beliefs, hopelessness, helplessness, “giving up”, and an endless variety of recurrent stresses.

Disease of any kind is the body’s way of getting your attention and inviting this self-exploration, thereby offering true healing.

Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)-Brain disease Reward Deficiency Syndrome
  • Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that help to control states of consciousness, including moods.
  • Serotonin and GABA down-regulate electrical activity in the brain, thereby contributing to calm, peacefulness, or less anxiety.
  • Adrenaline and nor-adrenaline up-regulate electrical activity thereby promoting excitement, motivation, or, reducing depression and apathy.
  • Dopamine is the “feel good” brain chemical. It is the dance of these electro-chemicals that produce emotional balance and feelings of well-being.

When the proper flow, or cascade, of these neurochemicals is impaired, or, the brain’s receptors are blocked, then a variety of problems can develop, including:

  • Mood instability
  • Irritability
  • Agitation
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Apathy
  • Impaired concentration
  • Trouble focusing
  • Despair

A host of medical and lifestyle issues can disturb the healthy flow of neurotransmitters, including chronic stress, alcohol, drug abuse, genetics, poor diet, digestive disturbances and malabsorption, micronutrient deficiency and more.  The result can be Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), a term primarily used for hereditary chemical imbalances wherein the pleasure centers, which regulate feelings of well-being in the brain, fail to receive appropriate neural signals.  As a result, the brain sends out urgent messages of craving. In the brains of addicts, various neurotransmissions are affected, depending upon the drug or drugs that have been used. As a result addicts experience difficulty concentrating and have mood swings, for example, as well as having other physical symptoms. Collectively, these symptoms are called cravings and withdrawals. Craving and withdrawal symptoms are a result of a neurochemical imbalance in the brain.

It is the Reward Deficiency Syndrome that causes the compulsive use of alcohol and drugs that help to feel good, at least temporarily. In addition to alcohol, people use nicotine, other stimulants, illicit drugs, junk foods, sugars, or thrill-seeking behaviors such as gambling, sex and Internet porn. Unfortunately, this only provides temporary relief while bringing with it the possibility of more long-term problems. For lasting solution to addiction, only experts in the same line will liberate you from this problem. Doctor Dalal Akoury is an expert you can rely on for whatever addiction you are going through.

Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)-Addiction Recovery using Intravenous NAD & amino acids

 

 

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Neurotransmitters Restoration Addiction Recovery – Choosing NTR

February 20, 2014

Neurotransmitters Restoration Addiction Recovery – Choosing NTR

Neurotransmitters restoration addiction recovery (NTR) is very effective. This treatment option is perfect for people who won’t be able to complete their addiction treatment program on their own. Then there are some people who prefer to take a more strict approach and benefit from NTR treatments to help them get rid of their drug or alcohol dependency. Some patients may choose to attend a rehab facility where they have the support of medical staff and the right environment for them to beat their addiction, while others choose to recover from their addiction on their own, also known as natural drug addiction recovery.  This is a very popular and effective treatment. Recovering from drug or alcohol addiction can be a bit challenging which is why other types of treatments are often required.

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Finding an Effective Treatment Program

These imbalances have a negative effect on brain cells or neurons, making it difficult to control normal functioning. It’s very effective and endorsed by various professionals. Specialists believe that addiction problems are mainly the result of certain chemical imbalances in the brain, which also disrupts the normal functioning of certain processes. This process helps to restore balance in the brain and this in turn makes it easier for addicts to regain normality in their lives. These cells or neurotransmitters controls various processes in the brain and can also influence your day-to-day choices and habits as they communicate with other cells and control various aspects of your life. This is one reason why neurotransmitters restoration addiction recovery is so important for addicts who attend a rehab program.

About Your Brain’s Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters Restoration Addiction Recovery – Choosing NTR

Neurotransmitters Restoration Addiction Recovery – Choosing NTR

Important neurotransmitters include endorphins, serotonin, and GABA. Serotonin can also help to counter negative emotions and it is known as the feel-good hormone. These four neurotransmitters play an important role in the recovery process and they are vital for patients to be able to restore balance in their bodies. When it comes to neurotransmitters restoration addiction recovery, there are a few important neurotransmitters that are important to know about. Certain drugs like heroin for example, mimic these endorphins in the body. Endorphins work as pain relievers, and they can also become blocked.  Serotonin has a soothing ability and helps us to handle stressful or challenging situations, without the need to over react. These neurotransmitters are also vital for our normal functioning and overall health, as well as our ability to be able to be productive in our daily lives.

Alternative Treatments for Addiction

This is often the best rehabilitation process available because these individuals made the choice to recover on their own. Detox programs can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the patient and the severity of their addiction. Not only this, but it can also help a patient’s body get accustomed to normal processes again without the needs for drugs and other substances. Apart from neurotransmitters restoration addiction recovery there are various other addiction treatment options available, including detox programs which have proved to be very effective. Detox programs are often intensive but they are very necessary to complete. Then of course there are people who would like to do their entire recovery process on their own. This requires strength and willpower, which some individuals have. Some treatment facilities have an outpatient drug detox program that patients can complete; however there is a degree of self-confidence that is required. They prefer to handle the process by themselves and feel that they are strong enough to beat their addiction without the help of medication or the facilities of a rehab institution.

The Importance of Brain Health and Balance

This includes stress, poor diet trends, drug abuse, or micronutrient deficiencies. As a result of this, patients can suffer from Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) and this will also have a negative influence on their recovery abilities. There is a variety of aspects that influence the healthy state of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters restoration addiction recovery aims to rest the balance and allow the neurotransmitters to get back to their normal functioning. . It’s a great way to establish balance in the body and to have a normal, healthy life after this process has been completed. Most recovering patients have some form of nutritional or chemical imbalance, making this type of treatment so much more effective. These imbalances can negatively influence their recovery process and make it harder to recover from their addiction. Patients can undergo this treatment from various rehab centers, especially under the supervision of medical professionals. Relapses are also more commonly found among patients, which is why so many professionals are now turning to this treatment to restore balance. Research shows that this treatment option is popular and effective and rehab facilities have had great successes with a variety of patients. Many patients choose this method as they know it will be better than other alternatives.

Neurotransmitters Restoration Addiction Recovery – Choosing NTR

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Neurotransmitters dysfunction and obesity

February 11, 2014
Neurotransmitters dysfunction

Neurotransmitters are the naturally occurring chemicals inside your body that transmit messages between nerve cells. In the brain alone there are 183 different neurotransmitters. Two major neurotransmitters are…..

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring chemicals that “transmit” electrical messages between nerve cells, called “neurons” hence the name neurotransmitters. They are produced in the body by amino acids with the help of vitamins and minerals. We get these amino acids, vitamins and minerals from the food we eat. However, if we are not getting enough of these or in an imbalanced ratio a deficiency occurs and over time can lead to the development of diseases and illnesses associated with low levels of neurotransmitters.

What diseases are associated with neurotransmitter dysfunction?

According to Neuro-Research a list of diseases or illnesses are caused by or associated with neurotransmitter dysfunction. Neurotransmitter dysfunction leads to obesity and the diseases resulting from obesity, as well as other diseases not associated with obesity. Causes of neurotransmitter dysfunction There are four known primary causes of neurotransmitter dysfunction. 1: Nutritional Deficiency 2: Prescription drugs 3: Damage to the neurons of the brain 4: Excess excretion of neurotransmitters by the kidneys

 Neurotransmitter dysfunction -Why is lab testing only used after starting amino acid therapy?

This is a common question. We are used to a medical community that runs tests first and then treats based on the test. However with neurotransmitters, hyper excretion is a common problem. Hyper excretion results when the kidneys are excreting excessive amounts of neurotransmitters so that the urinary values don’t match up with the systemic values. Once treatment starts with amino acids this problem doesn’t seem to occur. Therefore testing is NOT performed prior to supplementation with amino acids.

Neurotransmitter dysfunction -How many supplements are involved in treatment and what is each doing?

There are two different programs available for treatment. The first specifically treats neurotransmitter dysfunction resulting in the “conditions related to obesity and neurotransmitter deficiency” listed right. The second program treats neurotransmitter dysfunction as well as weight loss by incorporating an appetite suppressant in the formula. This will assist in controlling your appetite, however, calorie restriction is still necessary to accomplish long-term weight loss. This second program can also be used to treat symptoms associated with Parkinsonism. If only one neurotransmitter system is not functioning properly, why do I have to take supplements that affect both systems? The reason is simple, according to Neuro-Research’s extensive research, they have found that 5% of patients have only serotonin dysfunction, 5% of patients have only catecholamine dysfunction and 90% of patients are a mixture of both. Both systems must be functioning properly for the entire system to be healthy and free of neurotransmitter disease. After you have started the program we will monitor your symptoms and lab test results and adjust the supplements accordingly. So in the end you may take more of one supplement than another to achieve an appropriate “balance”. More about the Neurotransmitter Support Supplements available! Proteins, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, and fats are the essential nutrients that make up your body. Proteins are the essential components of muscle tissue, organs, blood, enzymes, antibodies, and neurotransmitters in the brain. Your brain needs the proper nutrients every day in order to manufacture proper levels of the neurotransmitters that regulate your mood. Neurotransmitter Effects:

  1. Control the appetite center of the brain.
  2. Stimulates Corticotrophin Releasing Factor, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, & Cortisol.
  3. Regulate male and female sex hormone.
  4. Regulates sleep.
  5. Modulate mood and thought processes.
  6. Controls ability to focus, concentrate, and remember things.
  7. The Mind Body Connection.
  8. The chemistry of our bodies can alter, and be altered by our every thought and feeling. Our bodies and our minds are truly interconnected; the health of one depends on the health of the other.

There are many biochemical neurotransmitter imbalances that result in mental health symptoms such as:

  1. Adrenal dysfunction
  2. Blood sugar imbalance
  3. Food and Chemical allergy
  4. Heavy Metal Toxicity
  5. Hormone imbalance
  6. Nutritional Deficiency
  7. Serotonin/Dopamine/Noradrenalin imbalance
  8. Stimulant and drug intoxication
  9. Under or overactive thyroid

  Neurotransmitter Imbalances Disrupted communication between the brain and the body can have serious effects to one’s health both physically and mentally. Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders are thought to be directly related to imbalances with neurotransmitters. The four major neurotransmitters that regulate mood are Serotonin, Dopamine, GABA and Norepinephrine.

Neurotransmitter dysfunction -The Inhibitory System

Neurotransmitters dysfunction

Neurotransmitter system dysfunction may contribute to the borderline personality disorder traits of impulsive aggression and affective instability

This is the brains braking system, it prevents the signal from continuing. The inhibitory system slows things down. Serotonin and GABA are examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters. GABA (Gamma amino butyric acid) GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It helps the neurons recover after transmission, reduces anxiety and stress. It regulates norepinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin; it is a significant mood modulator. Serotonin imbalance This is one of the most common contributors to mood problems. Some feel it is a virtual epidemic in the United States. Serotonin is key to our feelings of happiness and very important for our emotions because it helps defend against both anxiety and depression. You may have a shortage of serotonin if you have a sad depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, low energy, migraines, sleeping problems, obsession or compulsions, feel tense and irritable, crave sweets, and have a reduced interest in sex. Additionally, your hormones and Estrogen levels can affect serotonin levels and this may explain why some women have pre-menstrual and menopausal mood problems. Moreover, daily stress can greatly reduce your serotonin supplies. The Excitatory Neurotransmitter System This can be related to your car’s accelerator. It allows the signal to go. When the excitatory neurotransmitter system is in drive your system gets all raved up for action. Without a functioning inhibitory system to put on the brakes, things (like your mood) can get out of control. Among other things, the following should be in place to restore neurotransmitters in attempt to achieve weight loss.   Epinephrine It’s also known as adrenaline is a neurotransmitter and hormone essential to metabolism. It regulates attention, mental focus, arousal, and cognition. It also inhibits insulin excretion and raises the amounts of fatty acids in the blood. Epinephrine is made from norepinephrine and is released from the adrenal glands. Low levels have been can result in fatigue, lack of focus, and difficulty losing weight. High levels have been linked to sleep problems, anxiety and ADHD.   Dopamine It’s responsible for motivation, interest, and drive. It is associated with positive stress states such as being in love, exercising, listening to music, and sex. When we don’t have enough of it we don’t feel alive, we have difficulty initiating or completing tasks, poor concentration, no energy, and lack of motivation. Dopamine also is involved in muscle control and function. Low Dopamine levels can drive us to use drugs (self-medicate), alcohol, smoke cigarettes, gamble, and/or overeat. High dopamine has been observed in patients with poor GI function, autism, mood swings, psychosis, and children with attention disorders. Glutamate It’s the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It is required for learning and memory. Low levels can lead to tiredness and poor brain activity. Increased levels of glutamate can cause death to the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Dysfunction in glutamate levels are involved in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Tourette’s. High levels also contribute to Depression, OCD, and Autism. Neurotransmitter Levels Neurotransmitter levels can now be determined by a simple and convenient urine test collected at home. Knowing your neurotransmitter levels can help you correct a problem today or prevent problems from occurring in the future.

Neurotransmitters dysfunction and obesity-Exposition

 

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Poor Nutrition causes Addiction

November 1, 2013
Poor Nutrition causes Addiction

Dr. Dalal Akoury

Why Poor Nutrition causes Addiction?

 

Understanding the relationship between nutrition and addiction is an important component for successful drug abuse recovery. Although many drug addicts become malnutritioned from their drug abuse behaviors, this issue is much deeper than you thought.  This article purpose is to expose to you that Why Poor Nutrition causes Addiction? Drug addicts are deficient in a variety of vital nutrients, which leads to physiological and psychological symptoms and imbalanced neurotransmitters in the brain that often result in the relapse. Thus, identifying and correcting these deficiencies is another important step in maintaining drug-free and long-term sobriety.

The role of nutrition and addiction have brings two sided adverse effects on each other. You find that drug addiction causes nutritional deficiencies, while on the other side poor nutritional cause drug addiction. Both addiction and nutrition have a reciprocal effect on one another that often makes addicts to relapse. Remember that your recovery will be much easier and long lived if you know that Poor Nutrition causes Addiction.

A poor diet lacking in vital nutrients, high in sugar or salt, refined foods and with environmental toxins that average people takes nowadays, often results in nutritional deficiencies. Contrary to most people’s popular beliefs and culture, minerals and vitamin deficiencies are quite common in our society. Their deficiency or lack of it can result into imbalances causing uncomfortable symptoms. Scientific research indicates that Poor Nutrition causes Addiction.

On the literal form, nutrients are needed in the brain to form neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are substances used by our brain to communicate with all body parts or relay messages within the brain. An imbalance or lack neurotransmitters such as GABA, serotonin, endorphins and dopamine have been found to be at the root of what causes alcohol and drug addiction. That is why Poor Nutrition causes Addiction because it causes lack of Amino acids the building blocks of all Neurotransmitters.

Why Poor Nutrition causes Addiction? is explained Below

The manufacturing process of these neurotransmitters, the body requires every nutrient with right amount to be present during the process of synthesis of neurotransmitters if the nutrients are lacking the neurotransmitter production is compromised causing imbalances leading to addiction and self medication. The lack of one or two of these nutrients during the manufacturing process can lead to failure of neurons in producing adequate quantity of neurotransmitters. This is explains why Poor Nutrition causes Addiction

You’ll want to read and understand alcohol and drug addiction and how to recover from the adverse effects caused by taking drugs. To achieve successful drug and alcohol addiction recovery, your body’s neurotransmitters must be brought into balance. So you need to understand the interrelationship between addiction and nutrition because they are important aspects if you want to maintain a lasting sobriety.

Poor Nutrition causes Addiction

prevention an aid against drug addiction Deutsch: Kampf dem Drogenmissbrauch :*Ausgabepreis: 40 Pfennig :*First Day of Issue / Erstausgabetag: 14. August 1975 :*Michel-Katalog-Nr: 864 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Symptoms and Impact of Deficiencies explaining why Poor Nutrition causes Addiction?

Symptoms from a deficiency or lack of minerals, vitamins or amino acids may include hypoglycemia, depression, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, hyperactivity, learning disorders, cognitive dysfunction, insomnia, hypertension, memory problems, personality disorders, sugar cravings, heart disease, agitation, headaches, and many more. You will realize that that many of these symptoms, as a result of nutrient deficiencies, look extremely similar to the symptoms that an addict faces in their recovery experiences.

When your diet lacks proper nutrients that it needs, then your brain is out of balance in manufacturing and realizing neurotransmitters. You must understand the importance of these crucial chemicals in making your body feel relaxed, happy or normal. Lack of it or the imbalance of these chemicals in the brain can lead to depression, anxiety, sadness, tiredness, confusion and make one not to think clearly.

All psychotropic substances mimic the effects of your neurotransmitters and thus provide one with a temporary, but artificial boost. When neurotransmitters are not balanced in the brain, then we crave things like drugs, alcohol, sugar, cigarettes and caffeine to provide us with the feelings and relieve which we could otherwise get naturally.

Since most people are eating a diet that lacking in nutrients or deities that are toxic, nutritional deficiencies are usually present in the drug and alcohol addict prior to addiction. Actually this is one of the things that lead to substance abuse and eventually addiction. You find that our body doesn’t produce enough dopamine, GABA, serotonin or endorphins, and therefore taking drugs provides us with a temporary boost to those neurotransmitters. These drugs provide us with what we are missing. However, in the long run, the temporary stimulation of these brain chemicals only depletes them even further and leads to diverse problem of substance addiction.

AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center offers an NER a Neuroendocrine Restoration that replenishes targeted amino acids in an attempt to achieve quick and long term craving free without withdrawal recovery. That is how we address the fact that Poor Nutrition causes Addiction.

 

Why Poor Nutrition causes Addiction?

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