The Science of Addiction

The Science of Addiction

Ignorance does not know better, and conscientious stupidity is knowledge from the wrong source.

Why doesn't your brain know better?

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In young people, there are weak connections among the prefrontal cortex itself, as well as weak connections between the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, a component of the limbic system involved in the brain’s reward system [6]

Epigenetics, social enviromental, and mental health

Cognitive diissonance

"Cognitive dissonance is a case of detecting your own hypocrisy, and hypocrisy is a powerful motivation for finding justifications (excuses) for our action. " [7] 1) I am not as bad as ..... person 2) I only do it occasionally 3) Doctors exaggerate potential risks 4) I want to have shared experiences with my friends 5) This is what everyone else does

Neurotransmitters

Regulate homeostais in the brain and body

NTs are specialized chemicals needed for neurons (brain cells) to communicate with one another.

1. Nicotine2. THC (marijuana)3. Alcohol

Commonly Abused Substances

"Many drugs can alter a person’s thinking and judgment, and can lead to health risks, including addiction, drugged driving, infectious disease, and adverse effects on pregnancy." [2]

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Nicotine and the Brain [8]

Nicotine

“The teen brain is actively developing and often will not be fully developed until the mid 20s,” the CDC stated, adding that use during that time “can have permanent effects” such as poor coordination and damage to learning, memory, problem solving skills, and the ability to pay attention. [1]

Nicotine also changes the way synapses are formed, which can harm the parts of the brain that control attention and learning. [9]

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THC can effect more than the brain

THC

“The teen brain is actively developing and often will not be fully developed until the mid 20s,” the CDC stated, adding that use during that time “can have permanent effects” such as poor coordination and damage to learning, memory, problem solving skills, and the ability to pay attention.

“Without a doubt, cigarettes and e-cigarettes are unhealthy and not good for lungs. However, vaping marijuana appears even worse,” study author Carol Boyd

"In addition to social and psychiatric problems, more than 200 diseases that affect several organs, such as the brain, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and liver, are related to habitual alcohol consumption" [3]

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Alcohol

Among these alcohol-damaged organs, the liver is specifically susceptible to damage because the liver is the primary site of alcohol metabolism in the body. Alcohol metabolism generates products that damage the liver, resulting in alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a main cause of chronic liver disease [4}

Wernicke–Korsakoff Syndrome

A serious brain disorder caused by thiamine deficiency in alcoholics. "Approximately 80 to 90 percent of alcoholics with Wernicke’s encephalopathy also develop Korsakoff’s psychosis, a chronic and debilitating syndrome characterized by persistent learning and memory problems. Patients with Korsakoff’s psychosis are forgetful, quickly frustrated, and have difficulty with walking and coordination." [5]

[1]Musso F, Bettermann F, Vucurevic G, Stoeter P, Konrad A, Winterer G 2007. Smoking impacts on prefrontal attentional network function in young adult brains. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 191: 159–169 [PubMed] [Google Scholar] [Ref list] [2] “Commonly Used Drugs Charts.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 13 Apr. 2023, https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/commonly-used-drugs-charts. [3] Rehm J., Baliunas D., Borges G.L., Graham K., Irving H., Kehoe T., Parry C.D., Patra J., Popova S., Poznyak V., et al. The relation between different dimensions of alcohol consumption and burden of disease: An overview. Addiction. 2010;105:817–843. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02899.x. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Ref list] [4] Lieber C.S. Alcoholic liver disease: New insights in pathogenesis lead to new treatments. J. Hepatol. 2000;32:113–128. doi: 10.1016/S0168-8278(00)80420-1. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [5] “Alcohol’s Damaging Effects on the Brain.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Oct. 2004, pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm. [6] Heitz, David. “Rolling Hills Hospital | Franklin, Tennessee.” Why Are the Brains of Teens and Young Adults So Prone to Addiction and Its Deadly Consequences?, rollinghillshospital.org/brains-teens-young-adults-prone-addiction-deadly-consequences/. Accessed 9 May 2023. [7]Shahram Heshmat Ph.D., Shahram. “Cognitive Dissonance and Addiction.” Psychology Today, 29 Oct. 2016, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201610/cognitive-dissonance-and-addiction. [8] Author links open overlay panelAgnes J. Jasinska a, et al. “Dual Role of Nicotine in Addiction and Cognition: A Review of Neuroimaging Studies in Humans.” Neuropharmacology, 6 Mar. 2013, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390813000725. [9]“Know the Risks of E-Cigarettes for Young People: Know the Risks: E-Cigarettes & Young People: U.S. Surgeon General’s Report.” E, e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/knowtherisks.html#:~:text=Brain%20Risks,-The%20part%20of&text=These%20risks%20include%20nicotine%20addiction,that%20control%20attention%20and%20learning. Accessed 9 May 2023.

References