Natalie Thomas

The Brain and Drug Addiction 

The STEM field is full of opportunities, every area that can be studied relates to another. The idea that everything is tied together is fully realized, because of the many connections between all the fields. This is no different when also discussing  specific topics as well. The human body for instance. Disease, damage, and overall changes will cause the body to experience varying circumstances, each with a different outcome. Focusing on disease and the different implications, again there are many areas that one could choose to explore. However, once the gate has been opened, the web that ties all of the systems together becomes entangled. There is no way to distinguish one topic from another, there is no pure field of study. This has been apparent as we have taken the time to discuss how the body reacts to an imbalance. 

The brain, our most complex and unknown organ. The brain has always been a mystery to scientists. Trying to make sense of it is very difficult, time consuming, and confusing at times. There are some areas of the brain that we have been able to identify and have a basic understanding of how it functions. The issue is, what causes the brain to function the way it does and how does our consciousness work? There are so many areas that we are unable to explain yet about the brain and it has become our duty to try and decipher it.

The composition of the brain produces a very complex system. There are many reactions that can occur from a single change. A change in chemical balance is one such reason that the brain would change the way it responds. Every day people are prescribed medications that are intentionally used to alter the way the body is perceiving the information being received. There are many different types of drugs that are administered each day. Whether it is a natural medicine or a synthetic source they are very useful in maintaining balance. Some drugs are recognized as legal while some are not. However, the ultimate goal is to alter the reality of the situation. This process can become an issue if not properly observed and maintained. It is vitally important to know the dangers that can come from using an unnatural substance to alter the body and brain. The inappropriate use of these compounds can lead to issues such as addiction or overdose. So, by gaining an extensive knowledge of the subject, avoidance of harm is obtainable. 

When talking about addiction, it is valuable to know that drugs change the chemical composition of the brain over time. The brain has a natural response to a phenomenon called the Reward System. This perceived accomplishment occurs when the body is able to obtain measures that will increase survival. When drugs are introduced into the brain, they essentially mimic this reward system and trick the brain. Overtime, the brain will eventually begin to produce less of the chemicals that it should be producing, because it believes that there is too much being introduced to the system. This will lead a person to increase the amount of substances to produce the same effect, eventually leading to misuse, abuse, or addiction. The importance of proper treatment cannot be understated. 

With all the knowledge that we have from striving to understand drugs and medicine comes a lot of responsibility to use it wisely. In many areas of the world, especially the United States, there is an overabundance of prescription medications and illegal substances circulating. In the United States, the opioid epidemic has overtaken the lives of many communities. Knowing this, it is so important that healthcare providers look at different avenues to relieve the symptoms that their patients are experiencing. By using the methods outlined in Ayurveda techniques, we can avoid the unnecessary need to use synthetic methods. However, in cases where the issue has already been established, the use of ayurveda can also be implemented. 

By fighting the synthetic with the natural, the body is better able to bounce back from the harm inflicted on it. There are many areas of drug addiction where this type of treatment has been proven successful in helping individuals cope with recovery. In an article called Traditional Medicine in the Treatment of Drug Addiction, the methods used are outlined. Acupuncture is one such method that has been proven effective when helping to relieve the withdrawal symptoms felt by recovering addicts. Some specific types of addiction are outlined and they are opiate, cocaine, nicotine, and alcohol. By using this traditional technique, the individuals are able to allow their internal energy, called Chi, to flow again. However, when specifically discussing the use of ayurveda techniques, one herb has been singled out. To help alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal, the use of Withania somnifera has been proven effective. This plant is known as commonly as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng. By administering this herb, it has been reported that this herb “attenuates several neurobiological changes induced by cold, hypoxia, or restraint stress in animals including the rise in plasma corticosterone levels, increases in dopaminergic receptor population in the corpus striatum, phagocytic index, and avidity index (Lu, et.al.).” This essential means that there is less of a likelihood for relapse. 

Lu, Lin, et al. “Traditional Medicine in the Treatment of Drug Addiction.” American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, vol. 35, no. 1, Jan. 2009, pp. 1–11. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/00952990802455469.

Patwardhan, Bhushan, et al. “Ayurveda and Natural Products Drug Discovery.” Current Science, vol. 86, no. 6, 2004, pp. 789–799., www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/24109136?refreqid=search-gateway:1be8eba524dc22f56c8b65b6f99a70d1.