Addiction Fires Neurotransmitters in the Brain

Scientists are discovering that psychological addiction has a common factor. All mood-altering drugs elevate levels of the neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine. Tobacco, cocaine, heroin and caffeine elevate dopamine levels and cause a feeling of euphoria. Dopamine may be the master molecule of addiction.
Neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, control how the brain works and what we feel. When you feel pleasure from eating, falling in love, or receiving a compliment, it is dopamine that causes the feeling. Every experience that humans find enjoyable may be linked to dopamine whether it be listening to music, savoring chocolate, enjoying sex or shooting heroin.

Fifty neurotransmitters have been discovered to date. At least a half dozen are associated with addiction by causing a feeling of euphoria. Serotonin is another interesting neurotransmitter. It has a sedating effect. This neurotransmitter can be affected by rhythm such as stroking hair, slow, deep breathing, or a rocking motion.

It is possible that the desire for the serotonin effect enforces repetitive habits such as nail biting, playing with hair or nose picking. There is a repetition and a rhythm to these habits. It may be an unhealthy attempt at trying to gain comfort from the serotonin effect. Starches have been known to have a calming effect on the brain due to increased levels of serotonin. We are using junk food, starch, drugs, and bad habits to adjust our feelings through stimulating our neurotransmitters.

The pleasure effect of neurotransmitters is designed by God to form healthy, natural dependencies. A wholesome pleasure motivates us to find good tasting food, comfortable shelter, and loving relationships. Dopamine and serotonin reinforce healthy actions and behaviors.

Dopamine has a powerful ability to form triggers. During pleasure, neurological pathways are being formed that will trigger a physical and emotional reaction to repeat that pleasure. We know it as an urge. We feel compelled. Our minds can become fixed on pleasure until we think of nothing else.

Intense pleasure forms the most powerful triggers. For this reason, sex, drugs and food create the most powerful urges. A syringe, rolling papers, an X-rated video, McDonalds, or anything that is associated with the pleasure becomes a trigger for these powerful urges. Compelled by an urge, we feel pulled toward pleasure like steel to a magnet. The emotions overdrive and our body quivers with adrenaline. An addict may shake and sweat with the anticipation of pleasure. A tennis player may also experience the same reaction before a championship. The body and mind are being prepared for action.

Urges are powerful at motivating us towards good or towards evil. We can feel the urge to pray, the urge to be kind, the urge to create or build, or we can feel the urge to destroy. Yet, even the most powerful urge cannot negate our responsibility. We can never blame an urge for the action we have formed, built and accepted. We have given it a power from the thoughts that we allowed it to form.

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If a butterfly could talk of its experience of changing from a crawling insect into a multi-colored, graceful, flying creation, it would most likely be saying the words I felt in my heart. My healing through the 40 days of juice fasting gave back what drugs took away. Thanks for your support Tom. You were a good friend when I needed one.-Carl Wineberg
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At the end of the 17-day fast, a physical problem was gone. My doctor had told me I had a stomach reflex disease and would have to take pills for the rest of my life, but after the fast I no longer had that disease; I was completely healed. Thanks Tom, your books and support was fabulous.-Grace Lang
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I have lost over 30 lbs. to date, and have a new look as well as a new outlook on life. Not only did the fasting help me with my physical self, but my spiritual self will never be the same. The books were a total support and read them several times, especially when detoxing and feeling apathetic. I heard you have a new book coming out. Save my email, I want it.-Debbie Ried
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On the 27th of August 2001 I began a 30 day juice fast. I didn’t actually plan to do 30 days, it seemed impossible to even think of. I just began and thought I’d see where it went. Now I stand in amazement. You asked what I thought of your books. OUTSTANDING!!!-Gray Hodge
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This is the information I have been searching for. So clear, so commons sense, I wonder why I missed it. When I was younger, I was an athlete, but now.... 20 years later, oh no. But, you gave me new vision and inspiration. Second day of my juice fast and my wife is loves the recipe book. I would recommend these books to anyone how needs a life overhaul.-Juan Callion
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Ok, I now know just how messed up I am. The chapters on the emotions and eating hit home. I am planning a fast but, I know that I need to rebuild and cleanse my mind of all the toxic thinking and emotions that make me want to hide in the pleasures of food. I feel alive for the first time in many years. Keep on going, Tom you have helped me more than my words can express.-Suzie Bilinere
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Looking at Moreno Tuguinay now, I am amazed. The transformation from a sickly man to a beaming, positively hopeful one, free of all those health problems which have plagued him through the years is simply remarkable – and all achieved without taking any drugs, just juice fasting for a month. For a physician trained in conventional medicine, this is an eye opener.-Dr. Clare Lalwet
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When I started this fast I was taking about 20 pills a day, 4 different prescriptions. Now, after completing a 20 day fast, I am on no prescription medications. I have lost 25 pounds. And I have no swelling in my face, ankles or feet as before.-Steph White
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Claudine Lost 21 lbs. and Healed arm, Spiritual Renewal The result of the fast was amazing... my arm was healed miraculously. What a joy to feel no more pain.-Claudine
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Paul Erwin Lost 12lbs. and Increased Energy My increased vitality was brought home to me one morning after a nearly sleepless night as an on-call chaplain in our local hospital. Normally, I would have been exhausted, but instead I had an energetic and fulfilling day.-Paul Erwin
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Brian Chason Lost 28 lbs. and Increased Enegy and Stamina During the process I learned a few things, some of which I put into practice. Some of the changes that have taken place include clearer sinuses from a reduction in milk; a weight loss of 28 pounds, with eight inches lost from my waist. I really enjoy looking at myself in the mirror now!-Brian Chason
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Elaine Harrison Lost 40 lbs. and Healed Stiffness in the Spine. Specialists had told me that ” full flexibility could not be restored to the spine,” but after five days of fasting I could bend from my waist. Since I broke that fast, I have lived a hygienic-vegetarian diet for the last five years.-Elaine Harrison
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Elizabeth Davidson Healed a Raspy Throat, Drug Addiction, Cancer of the Cervix Remission The fast was ended with a light vegetarian diet. Later I learned she had had cancer of the cervix and tests showed it had gone into remission. Again, fasting had proven its miraculous abilities to cure.-Elizabeth Davidson
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Carl Wineberg Lost 140 lbs and Healed Water retention, Damaged Nerves, Liver and Kidney Damage, Self-esteem. My liver was swollen to the size of a football. I was a 270-lb., burned out drug addict... After 40 days of juice fasting, there was a metamorphosis from a sickly, unstable human into someone vibrant with health and well being. The swelling on my right side from my liver had disappeared completely. I'm off drugs permanently.-Carl Wineberg
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Debbie Ried Healed Water Retention and Lost 30 lbs. I had run out of hope of ever feeling better again. I have lost over 30 lbs. to date, and have a new look as well as a new outlook on life. Not only did the fasting help me with my physical self, but my spiritual self will never be the same. The headaches and the swelling due to water retention disappeared.-Debbie Ried
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One Response to Addiction Fires Neurotransmitters in the Brain

  1. Antonina Uhrig says:
    July 10, 2010 at 9:38 am

    wow..nice that will be healthy :)

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