Posted by BarbaraCat on September 7, 2003, at 13:23:14
In reply to Re: Metabolic typing » BarbaraCat, posted by katia on September 7, 2003, at 0:51:18
Hi Katia,
Yes, please find that source if you can. I've heard a similar theory about fear gouging 'grooves' between the amygdala and cortex. The amygdala, being in the limbic center, can't listen to reason from the neocortex and the neocortex, getting habitual zings from the amygdala, interprets the signals as danger/fear and a neural pathway eventually gets setup that's more habit based than anything. I'd be real interested in which brain structure communications are implicated with substance abuse. I've heard the caudate accumbens where dopamine is made is a big player for the pleaure principle stimulation, but the possibility that neural pathways need to be severed and how that might happen is really fascinating.Funny thing, I also indulged last night - had one (smallish) glass of that disgusting yellow motor oil putrid swamp juice. Went out to dinner, thought 'Heck, it's Saturday, I'm having a nice meal out, eating protein to sop up the alcohol, let's just see'. One was quite enough and I had no desire to get high, to drink anything else. I didn't feel anything one way or the other physically this morning, maybe a little guilty after my staunch resolve.
My goal is moderate drinking, perhaps back to my 2 per month limit and never let it get out of hand again. I was able to do it for 3 years without too much trouble. I was so miserable, however, that my occasional binges were understandable - to me. They certainly weren't helping to heal my misery or chemisty but except for a few nasty scenes with my husband were not causing major problems. Those scenes with my husband caused me to abstain and it wasn't any big loss. But lately, with my Mom's death finally healing, financial pressures eased somewhat, feeling better, the curious urge for more more more enjoyment is looking alot like a manic impulse. Interesting, yes, but I don't want to be the lab rat and hurt myself doing the research. I'm now armed with enough reading material to understand the perils to support my resolve for moderation, if I feel it's safe to go that way, or total abstinance if it's too tempting. Obviously, bingeing is out forever more. I really have learned my lesson on that one. But for moderation to have any chance, it's crucial to abstain for at least 30 days, so say the books, and more like 90 - probably to break that neural connection. So it will be great to appreciate the structural neurological basis for doing so. It just helps me all around if I understand the underlying process. Hey, good to talk to you about all this, Katia. It's helping alot. - Barbara
> The WAY that you describe chardonnay makes me want to indulge in some! Let's start calling it trashy, syrupy sweet, rancid chardonnay - want some?
> I have heard that through continuous use (addiction), we create pathways in the brain that are only activated, i.e. dopamine released when given that substance. We literally have grooves in our brains or something like that that we need to reconstruct thru' years of abstinence. When I find the source and a better description, i"ll let you know.
> I had a beer tonight, but didn't want anymore and I feel fine. Just one. This will be the test.
> Katia> The WAY that you describe chardonnay makes me want to indulge in some! Let's start calling it trashy, syrupy sweet, rancid chardonnay - want some?
> I have heard that through continuous use (addiction), we create pathways in the brain that are only activated, i.e. dopamine released when given that substance. We literally have grooves in our brains or something like that that we need to reconstruct thru' years of abstinence. When I find the source and a better description, i"ll let you know.
> I had a beer tonight, but didn't want anymore and I feel fine. Just one. This will be the test.
> Katia
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:257391
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20030903/msgs/257832.html