If you would like to submit a question or make a comment, please email Dr. Taylor at thebrain@arlenetaylor.org.
As far as I know, science has not yet discovered a direct causative link between aluminum and a variety of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Research continues in this area. If you subscribe to the theory that disease processes (including Alzheimer’s and many different types of cancer) can result from a complex constellation of factors, then exposure to products that contain aluminum could be one factor to consider.
I read an article recently that was designed to raise awareness of products that contain aluminum and a possible connection with a variety of states of illness. Suggestions ranged from using aluminum-free cookware or cookware that contains only a small percentage of aluminum in the alloy, to switching to a natural deodorant crystal (aluminum free). I pay attention to these suggestions. However, I still maintain that our best strategy in life is to develop and consistently implement a high-level-wellness lifestyle in balance!
While some studies have indicated an association between the presence of aluminum in the brain and Alzheimer’s disease, I know of none that indicate aluminum is causative. Nevertheless, I understand your concern and would rather be on the safe side myself since options are available. For example, have you considered using a natural deodorant crystal in solid, spray, or roll-on form? That’s what I use.
That’s right. I don’t. According to Dr. Appleton, author of the book Lick the Sugar Habit, the average American consumes 20 pounds of artificial sweeteners per year. Originally designed for weight loss, research shows that these substances actually increase appetite by stimulating the salivary glands, thus defeating their original purpose. Artificial sweeteners can contribute to compulsive eating, an increased craving for sweets and fatty foods, and an increase in weight.
Aspartame’s ingredients compete with Tryptophan and can block its conversion into serotonin; saccharin can cause an increase in one’s consumption of sweets.
Dietary consultants have told me that one of the first things they recommend to people who want to lose or maintain their weight is to stop using all soft drinks—especially those that are labeled as “diet” drinks.
Two studies were published recently in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Both of them link a dopamine deficiency to ADHD, reportedly the most common psychiatric disorder in children.
This might help to explain the reason that people with ADHD are often substance abusers. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD are at higher risk than others for using drugs such as nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamines, and cocaine. According to Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institutes of Health on Drug Abuse, all of these substances temporarily increase the concentration of dopamine in the brain.
This also helps to explain the reason that drugs such as Ritalin or methylphenidate— stimulants often prescribed for ADHD—work by amplifying dopamine in the brain.
According to Dr. Daniel Amen, this information is another reason that parents/teachers need to take active precautions for children with ADHD to help them avoid falling into the trap of substance abuse in an attempt to self-medicate their brains.
Recently a young man who had been diagnosed with ADHD and placed on Ritalin when quite young showed up at one of my seminars. He reported that it had been an easy transition to self-medicate with methamphetamines in adulthood, especially when Ritalin didn’t seem to be “doing the job” anymore. Now he was working diligently to address his addiction to uppers.
First, all drugs affect the brain in some way or another. Second, if you’re speaking of drugs of abuse, reports from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicate that specific brain changes can and do occur and that they are likely causes of the persistent cognitive and/or motor capability losses associated with many drugs of abuse. What types of brain changes can occur? Here are some examples:
In response to the second part of your question: Is drug-associated brain dysfunction reversible? Perhaps. Sometime in the future. NIDA is currently supporting research projects that use new brain imaging techniques to evaluate the full impact of current medication and behavioral treatment on brain neurology and biochemistry. Ultimately, researchers envision developing a process for helping restore abilities impaired through the abuse of drugs. The proposed formula would involve interventions to stop ongoing brain damage, techniques to repair damaged brain cells, and then retraining strategies.
This information is one of the reasons that I’m so prevention-oriented. It’s usually easier to avoid damage than to reverse it. Does this mean that individuals who have experienced some damage to their brain should despair? Absolutely not! The brain is an amazing organ and has more ability to repair itself or to retrain itself than has been previously believed.
Ralph Marston said it very well: “Ultimately, the things that most affect the quality of your life are your decisions.” It’s rarely too late to make positive life-style changes. Unfortunately, some never decide to begin!
Over the past few years the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has been studying this topic. Research shows that gender differences do play a role from the very earliest opportunity individuals have to use drugs. Here are a few key findings:
I receive more questions about ecstasy (also called MDMA or simply “e”) on my website than any other street drug. First of all, I have a bias. I believe that the brain changes any time we subject it to a mind-altering substance. Whether or not those changes are permanent (to say nothing of desirable) is the million-dollar question.
What does ecstasy do in the brain? For one thing, it forces nerve cells to release all the serotonin stored at the ends of the axons. This process not only floods the brain with serotonin but can damage the cells, as well, sometimes irreparably. In addition, it interferes with the reuptake (the reabsorption of serotonin from the synaptic gap). It’s primarily this serotonin rush and related brain-function consequences that users seek.
A common short-term side effect is overheating. That is, ecstasy can interfere with the brain’s ability to control body temperature. Deaths have occurred post-ecstasy when body temperatures climbed to more than 108 degrees F. Because the drug tends to inhibit sweating, as well, ingestion can easily contribute to heatstroke. Scary!
The second most common short-term side effect relates to something called psychological trauma. For example, a few users have had a serious mental breakdown after using the drug. Many others have experienced depression. Depression is associated with a decrease in serotonin levels and the forced release of this substance in the brain can result in a down day that users sometimes refer to as Terrible Tuesdays.
Because serotonin can induce feelings of empathy, as well as euphoria, users are at risk for engaging in activities they might not otherwise choose (e.g., lowered sexual inhibitions). Some studies have shown that ecstasy users fared worse on memory tests when compared to individuals who said they’d never taken the drug. Again, some researchers hypothesize that the damage may be irreversible.
A major concern from my point of view is that one never knows exactly how one’s brain will respond to any given substance. Furthermore, no one really knows what the long-term implications might be in terms of brain function. Will side effects show up in ten or twenty years after ingestion of the substance?
In addition, one never knows what other substances might be mixed with ecstasy in order to increase its profitability. Some samples have been shown to contain aspirin, caffeine, DXM (a cough suppressant that can cause hallucinations), or PMA (an hallucinogenic and hyperthermic substance).
Added together, taking ecstasy is a bit like playing Russian roulette. For some individuals, it may be relatively harmless. For others, one dose may be life threatening. One never knows! Since we are first and foremost our “brains,” my position is that ingesting mind-altering substances constitutes an unacceptable risk.
It appears that low serotonin levels are associated with depression. Experiments with nonhuman primates have shown that ecstasy can damage brain serotonin neurons at dosages similar to those taken recreationally by humans.
A report was recently published in a British medical journal (Lancet 1998, Oct 31) related to ecstasy use in humans. In the study, PET (positron emission tomography) scans were used to evaluate the effects of ecstasy on serotonin neurons in human brains.
Results indicated that compared with nonusers, former ecstasy users had decreases in serotonin transporter binding, indicating global and regional damage to serotonin neurons. The authors suggest that the possible consequences of taking ecstasy may include neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, memory disturbance, and depression. This is just one more reason for avoiding use of so-called street drugs.
Ecstasy’s real name, if you will, is Methylenedioxamphetamine. That’s quite a handle! According to a clinical lab source, this drug can be detected in one’s blood for perhaps up to seven hours and in one’s urine for more than three days. There could be individual variation at play here, however, related to how quickly the individual’s liver and kidneys process the substance. In other words, excreting the drug from the body could happen more slowly.
Yes, you are powerless to stop it, unfortunately. With all the perceived “benefits” of marijuana that are touted throughout media resources—especially for pain relief for chronic or terminal conditions, there are some downsides. A lack of motivation is one of them. At his age and with a brain that is still not done, I understand your concerns. It reminds me of the Law of Entropy, so called, and stated by some as: Things tend to go from order to disorder. They naturally decay and break down. Given time, things become more and more random and deteriorate.
Writings about Steve Jobs have indicated he used LSD at least. Yes, he was very creative. One wonders if he had taken better care of himself whether he might still be alive today….
If your grandson’s parents are willing to involve the family in some appropriate therapy, your grandson may be open to seeing the bigger picture related to regular marijuana use, especially at his age. If not, I doubt much will change and about all you can do is let him know how much you love him, whatever his choices.
MSG, a type of neurotoxin, can increase the amount of a substance known as glutamate; and can trigger headaches, ringing ears, and other physical symptoms.
Studies have shown long term negative effects, especially in some brains. For that reason I personally avoid ingesting or using such substances.
You may want to refer to Brain References—Substances and the Brain for additional brain information.