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If you drink alcohol, have you ever noticed how that first drink can make you loosen up a little, and after the second one, you’re practically a stand-up comedian? But… a little while later, your tongue starts getting heavy, you trip over your own feet, and that person across the room you thought might be interested in you is clearly unimpressed. Then the next day you wake up bleary-eyed and thirsty, with a pounding headache. Sounds like fun…NOT!

How Alcohol Plays Tricks on the Brain and Mind

As soon as you start sipping alcohol, it enters your bloodstream and moves through your organs. And, because it’s in your blood, it can cross the blood brain barrier and get into your brain cells, where it starts to affect your thoughts, emotions, movements, and sensory functions. Many people find that having a few drinks helps them to unwind and become more social, which is why after an hour or so of drinking most people become more animated. It’s not so much that their hidden personalities have emerged, rather it has much more to do with how alcohol plays tricks on the brain and makes us think differently and do things we might not normally do.

Here are 5 ways booze outsmarts your brain—regardless of how intelligent you are!

1. You forget your future.

Your prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the part of your brain that is your personal CEO. It’s involved with really important things like judgment, insight, empathy, forethought, and impulse control. When you drink, the reason you can’t think clearly is because all of these functions are diminished, which then makes it easier for you to: When your decision-making process is impaired, you’re more likely to ignore the ramifications of your behavior as well as the price you’re going to have to pay down the road for doing things you wish you hadn’t.

2. You feel invincible.

Alcohol tricks your basal ganglia—the brain’s idle—that normally helps you maintain a healthy level of anxiety to prevent you from hurting yourself. When the function of this part of your brain slows down, you’re more likely to throw caution to the wind and engage in riskier and more dangerous behavior that could be potentially harmful, such as doing something that might cause a concussion or other type of injury with potentially long-term consequences.

3. You think you’re a really good dancer.

While you’re out there cutting a rug and having a grand ol’ time, your cerebellum is likely to trip you up—literally. This is the part of the brain involved with coordination and reflexes, but booze makes both of these functions slow down and you’re more likely to lose your balance and stumble. You’ll want to hope no one is recording your smooth moves on the dance floor.

4. You fall in love easily.

The euphoria you experience after a drink or two comes from an initial surge of brain chemicals, like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that help you feel happy and good. When you combine this with the loss of inhibition from lower PFC function, you’re less likely to be using your best judgment about a potential partner. Plus alcohol helps you think you’re a studmuffin, however, your performance won’t match your mindset, because alcohol actually slows your sexual response system.

5. You had a great time but can’t remember most of it.

Your hippocampus is like a memory bank; it’s where memories are recorded. When you drink, this part of your brain also starts to go offline, and the more alcohol you consume, the less you’ll be able to recall the details of the night. Excessive drinking can even cause almost complete amnesia about the events from the night prior. What is the point of having a fun evening with friends if you’re going to forget what happened?

Alcohol Is Not a Health Food

Although drinking alcohol is part of many cultures around the world, the health consequences of heavy alcohol consumption can be very serious. According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, it can lead to: Alcohol is essentially toxic to our bodies and brains, and while occasionally imbibing a small amount is not likely to cause harm for most adults (unless they are in recovery or are allergic to it), drinking regularly can definitely take a toll on you. In addition to the risk of addiction, the more alcohol a person uses, the greater the chance for long-term damage to the brain and body. Despite what some people tout about the benefits of drinking, alcohol is definitely NOT a health food. It is absolutely possible to go to parties and social events without imbibing and still have a great time. Being able to stay in full control of your faculties, and not having to worry about embarrassing yourself is definitely well worth it. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or another mental health issue, it’s important to get support and treatment. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Although Damion is almost 21, he isn’t interested in staying long at a regular job. He finds them either boring or unmotivating. Instead, he aspires to be a star on YouTube with his singing and dancing. Ironically, even though he believes he has the talent to become successful on social media, he makes minimal effort to even work on his pipedream. He blames his failure to launch on his mother and stepfather for not understanding and supporting his dreams and their refusal to buy him the equipment he wants to make music. Instead, Damion stays up all night watching YouTube, sleeps until 1:00 pm, and then plays video games and vapes all day long—which is definitely not helping him. Brain images have shown that vaping lowers activity in the part of the brain involved with focus, attention, and other important aspects of executive function. Damion’s mother, Carrie, loves him very much and felt sorry for him because when he was younger, his father was in jail and wasn’t able to be in his life very much. She also felt guilty for frequently needing to move for new jobs she got trying to make ends meet. Because of this, Damion had to change schools regularly and there was limited stability in his life. He also had a terrible anger problem and often fought with other kids, resulting in suspensions from school. When Damion was mad, he would punch walls and throw chairs if he didn’t get his own way—and is still prone to anger when his demands aren’t met. Because of her guilt about Damion’s unstable childhood, whenever he would act out, Carrie would bribe him into good behavior by giving or buying him whatever he wanted. She continues to do this, and even still buys his vape cartridges for him.

Special, Spoiled, and Entitled Dragons

Damion has what Dr. Daniel Amen refers to as the “Special, Spoiled, or Entitled Dragons.” And this is a big problem for the family. However, Damion’s sense of entitlement didn’t develop in a vacuum. In his newly released book, Your Brain is Always Listening, Dr. Amen teaches us about the dragons that breathe fire onto our emotional brain and steal our joy and contentment while driving unhealthy behaviors. He describes 13 different “Dragons from the Past” that stem from the personal stories we tell ourselves based on our experiences earlier in life. Carrie placated her son’s anger by giving in to him, which taught Damion that he was entitled to whatever it is that he wanted. The Special, Spoiled, or Entitled Dragons cause people to believe they are extra special—even more special than others. People who harbor this type of dragon have a strong need for attention, lack empathy for other people, and tend to blame others for their shortcomings. They respond with tantrums, anger, or rudeness when: Carrie, on the other hand, has her own “untamed” Dragons from the Past that largely led to the development of Damion’s unremitting sense of entitlement. According to Dr. Amen, she is dealing with Responsible Dragons and Should and Shaming Dragons.

Responsible Dragons

Those with the Responsible Dragons feel a sense of responsibility for the pain of others and are easily triggered when they perceive someone is in need of their help. Their inclination to be the fixer, caretaker, or codependent person causes them to do too much for other people, who then become dependent on them. This in turn breeds entitlement for the recipient as well as resentment and long-term stress for the person with Responsible Dragons.

Should and Shaming Dragons

The Should and Shaming Dragons arise when a person grows up in a culture of guilt where they might have been humiliated, belittled, judged, or criticized. This can happen if a person was raised in an environment with strong moral teachings, rules, and laws, as well as in certain religions. In these situations, shaming is often used as a strong motivator to get people to comply. Those with Should and Shaming Dragons tend to be triggered by disapproval from someone important to them, such as a family member or a boss. When that happens, it can cause feelings of guilt, distress, and a need to be submissive—among other problems.

The Clashing of Untamed Dragons

Responsible Dragons plus Should and Shaming Dragons tend to spawn Special, Spoiled, and Entitled Dragons. Therefore, it is no surprise that Damion has an inflated sense of entitlement but has very little self-efficacy, yet Carrie is wracked with guilt and worry for wanting him to change. Even though she now sees him as extremely lazy and unprepared for real life because of how she raised him, she can’t seem to stop her ongoing enabling and overprotective behaviors with him. Responsible Dragons and Should and Shaming Dragons tend to spawn Special, Spoiled, and Entitled Dragons, so it’s not unusual for a child to develop an inflated sense of entitlement, but have very little self-efficacy.
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There is hope though! Once Carrie learns how to “tame” her own Dragons from the Past using the strategies Dr. Amen specifies in the book, she can teach Damion how to tame his too. With the support of her husband, it is possible to make positive changes in their lives and help Damion become more comfortable with acting his age and taking greater responsibility for himself. Your Brain Is Always Listening is written by psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and New York Times bestselling author Daniel G. Amen, MD. In this book, Dr. Amen equips you with powerful weapons to battle the inner dragons that are breathing fire on your brain, driving unhealthy behaviors, and robbing you of your joy and contentment. Order your copy here. If you want to join the tens of thousands of Amen Clinics patients who have already tamed their dragons and overcome their behavior problems, symptoms of addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more, speak to a specialist today at 888-609-4318 or visit our contact page here. Carissa has a big problem. She can’t stop vaping. In fact, her daughter describes her mother’s 10-year vaping addiction as “absolutely insane.” Carissa is never without her vape—except when she’s asleep. It’s the first thing she reaches for in the morning and the last thing she touches at night. She panics if she accidentally runs out of cartridges. Despite the pressure from her daughter to quit, Carissa sees no harm in the habit. Afterall, she used to be a heavy drinker and cigarette smoker—2 habits she reportedly gave up. Carissa doesn’t believe vaping causes any health problems, because, in her mind, it’s just water vapor and nicotine. She also thinks that if there actually are any consequences, she’s likely immune to them since she’s been doing it for the past 10 years. Even though she experiences a lot of brain fog and attention problems, she doesn’t connect the dots to her addictive habit.

How Vaping Hurts the Brain and the Lungs

Carissa and her daughter, Alexa, appeared on the Dr. Phil show after Alexa had contacted them about getting help for her mom. Dr. Phil invited Dr. Daniel Amen, a well-known neuropsychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics, to educate everyone about the dangers of vaping and to dispel any misconceptions about the real harm caused by this popular but very unhealthy habit. Dr. Amen’s important points included:
  1. The decreased blood flow that results from vaping prematurely ages the brain.
  2. The changes to the brain caused by vaping lead to low motivation, depression, poor memory, and reduced concentration.
  3. Like all addictions, the pleasure centers in the brain—the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex—are affected by vaping and cause a release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The release of dopamine makes you feel good momentarily, but after it passes, you feel bad until you take another hit. Over time, this wears out these parts of the brain, causing decreased functioning in them.
  4. In addition to nicotine being highly addictive, when people vape, they are inhaling multiple poisons that constrict blood flow and can lead to heart disease and damage to the lungs.
According to a 2019 research article from the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, vape liquids contain harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, acetone, and carcinogenic material, among others.

Vaping and the Addicted Dragons

It is not unusual for people who are hooked on alcohol or a drug (nicotine is a drug!) to deny there is any harm in their behavior. Carissa has a bad case of what Dr. Amen calls the “Addicted Dragons.” In his newly released book, Your Brain is Always Listening, he teaches us about the dragons that breathe fire onto our emotional brain and steal our joy and contentment while driving unhealthy behaviors. In this book, Dr. Amen describes 13 different “Dragons from the Past” that stem from the personal stories we tell ourselves based on our experiences earlier in life. Everyone—regardless of status or success—has at least a few dragons, and some people are better at “taming” them than others. However, if these dragons are left untamed, they can drive a person to engage in unhealthy personal and interpersonal decisions and behaviors. Such is the nature of the Addicted Dragons. They develop when the Bad Habit Dragons and the Scheming Dragons override the Dragon Tamer (the prefrontal cortex), which is the CEO and “the brakes” of the brain. Addicted Dragons are the result of the Bad Habit Dragons and the Scheming Dragons overriding your Dragon Tamer (the prefrontal cortex), which is the CEO and “the brakes” of the brain.
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Brain-Based Addiction Recovery

To help those who are suffering from untamed Addicted Dragons, Dr. Amen includes a section in the book with his brain-based 12-step program to overcome addiction. Among the steps, the novel approach of this program includes: Learning to identify and tame your Hidden Dragons from the Past that still have control over you—even if you’re not aware of it—can lead to greater happiness, better health, and more success in your life! Your Brain Is Always Listening is written by psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and New York Times bestselling author Daniel G. Amen, MD. In this book, Dr. Amen equips you with powerful weapons to battle the inner dragons that are breathing fire on your brain, driving unhealthy behaviors, and robbing you of your joy and contentment. Order your copy here. If you want to join the tens of thousands of Amen Clinics patients who have already tamed their dragons and overcome their symptoms of addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, , and more, speak to a specialist today at 888-609-4318 or visit our contact page here. On July 24, 2018, pop superstar Demi Lovato woke up in a hospital after overdosing on heroin she says was likely laced with fentanyl. The near-death overdose caused three strokes, a heart attack, and damage to her brain that’s left her with visual problems. How could the singer’s life have derailed so dangerously after being sober for six years? She reveals what drove her to overdose in her new 4-part docuseries, “Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil,” which premiered on YouTube on March 23, 2021. In the raw and wrenching series, she says she wanted to “set the record straight about what happened” when she OD’d. What unfolds is a heartbreaking story that sheds light on how crippling addiction can be.

Here are 5 insights you can learn about substance abuse and overdoses from this gripping docuseries.

1. Addiction is generational.

Lovato’s story is one the psychiatrists and brain imaging specialists at Amen Clinics hear far too often from patients—a parent’s addiction leads to a child experiencing feelings of abandonment and rejection and eventually falling into addiction themselves. It’s a generational cycle of addiction that is commonly seen in psychiatric circles. In the words of Daniel Amen, MD, the founder of Amen Clinics and author of Your Brain Is Always Listening, the children of alcoholics and drug abusers become filled with inner Dragons from the Past that breathe fire on the emotional centers of the brain and drive anxiety, depression, and addiction. It creates a cycle of addiction that is hard to break. At one point in Lovato’s life, she took a hard look at her behavior—drinking vodka at 9 AM from a Sprite bottle—and realized “I’m just like my Dad.”

2. Unresolved past traumas can fuel addictive behaviors.

In Dancing with the Devil, Lovato describes how she “never took the time to dig deep and work on the trauma” she had experienced in her life. She was estranged from her father, who was an alcoholic and abusive to Lovato’s mother. The young star cut him out of her life, but the emotional trauma she felt from that harmful relationship drove her to use alcohol and drugs to self-medicate.

3. Addicts are very skilled at hiding their behavior.

In Lovato’s docuseries, she says she admitted to friends that she was drinking alcohol and smoking weed again, but she hid the fact that she had started using hard drugs—cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), methamphetamine, crack, oxycontin, and heroin. She says she was “very good at hiding the fact I was addicted to crack and heroin.” But there was a toll to keeping that secret. “Any time you suppress a part of yourself, at some point it’s gonna overflow. And that’s ultimately what happened to me,” she says.

4. The pressure to be perfect can contribute to relapse.

Lovato has emerged as an advocate for mental health and has openly talked about not only her addiction, but also her struggles with an eating disorder, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (she now says she was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, which is common, and actually has ADHD), and other issues. “Mental health is something that we all need to talk about, and we need to take the stigma away from it,” she says. Her efforts are admirable but being put in a position as a role model created undue pressure for her to seek perfection. “I felt like I had to be this perfect role model,” says the singer, who thinks it played a role in her relapse.

5. Addiction and overdoses damage the brain.

In discussing what happened to Lovato after the overdose, one of her doctors says, “Time is brain.” Lovato’s oxygen levels were dangerously low, meaning her brain wasn’t getting the oxygen it needs to function. The longer a person goes with the brain being starved of the nutrients it needs, the greater the risk for lasting damage and a tougher recovery. Lovato’s brain suffered damage from three strokes, and she has residual issues in the vision centers in the back part of the brain. Lovato now suffers from blind spots and can no longer drive. The brain SPECT imaging work at Amen Clinics shows how devasting addiction and strokes can be to the brain. They cause reduced blood flow to the brain, which has been associated with depression, ADD/ADHD, suicidal thoughts, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and more. It’s also the #1 brain imaging predictor that a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease. Addictions, bipolar disorder, ADD/ADHD, and other mental health issues can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. In March 2021, the independent nonprofit organization, FAIR Health, released a report about the staggering mental health challenges children and teens have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, drug overdoses, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders have all been on the rise. The report also found a 334% increase in the rate of intentional self-harm for 13- to 18-year-olds in one section of the U.S. The term self-harm refers to the intentional act of causing physical harm to oneself through a destructive means, but without the goal of suicide. In some cases, it can be an extreme measure such as crashing a car, but more often, self-harm involves burning, head-banging, hitting, severe scratching, skin picking, and hair-pulling, as well as cutting or carving the skin with a sharp object such as a razor blade, knife, or even a paperclip. Cutting is the most common form of intentional self-harm and represents up to 80% of cases. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders (DSM-V), it falls under the category of non-suicidal self-injury  (NSSI). Even in a “normal” year, approximately 15% of teens engage in cutting, with a greater percentage found in college students, although some adults and children also cut. Females tend to self-injure somewhat more than males, and the highest rates appear to be in those who are bisexual, but the reasons for this are still not completely understood.

The Motivation for Cutting

While there are many reasons a young person might intentionally cut themselves, this behavior is largely a maladaptive coping mechanism for kids and teens who are not able—or don’t know how—to express their emotions in a safe and healthy way. Those who cut are often seeking a type of symbolic relief from bad feelings they have or that are difficult for them to manage. Cutting is a maladaptive coping mechanism for people, especially kids and teens, who aren’t able—or don’t know how—to express their emotions in a safe and healthy way.
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For example, someone who dissociates or feels emotionally numb may cut to “feel alive,” while depressed teens may cut to “release” some of their sadness. Among other causes, cutting may also come from feelings related to:

Who’s at Risk?

Self-injury is usually linked to underlying mental health conditions. In particular, it is strongly associated with a history of childhood abuse, especially sexual abuse. Self-injury is also seen in those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, OCD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictions, as well as in borderline personality disorder (BPD)—a condition for which emotional regulation is very difficult. Research from the medical journal Encephale indicates that 50-80% of those with BPD engage in some form of self-mutilation, including cutting.

Cutting Can Become Addictive

Because cutting provides a temporary sense of relief to the person doing it, it can become a form of self-medication. The actual pain from the cut induces a release of endorphins—the body’s natural pain killers—which can boost mood or feelings of calmness. However, by repeatedly engaging the brain’s opioid system in this way, tolerance to the pain can build up, thus leading to increased cutting to get the same level of relief from the endorphin response.

Clues to Look For

While cutting can be done anywhere on the body, the most frequently targeted areas are the thighs, wrists, hands, and stomach. It is likely that a young person will try to hide the evidence of this behavior, so if you are concerned about your child or teen cutting, be aware of these clues:

Mental Health Treatment for Cutting

If you discover that your child has been cutting, it can be shocking—even frightening, but it’s important to understand that this behavior is treatable. Letting your child know that you care and want to help her or him find healthier ways to cope with their feelings is a great first step. In addition to possible medication for certain patients, some of the treatment modalities include: Whether it’s in an outpatient or inpatient setting, finding a mental health practitioner who is experienced with treatment for self-harming clients and their underlying mental health issues can pave the way for a healthier future for the young person in your life. Self-harm and other mental health problems can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being—and that of your loved ones— is more important than ever. Waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to worsen symptoms over time. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Wine, cigarettes, caffeine, painkillers, carbs, gambling, shopping, online pornography—these are all bad habits that can slip into substance use disorders or behavioral addictions. Most people think that everyone who becomes addicted to bad habits is alike or have the same character flaws or lack of willpower. Not true! Based on over 160,000 functional brain scans related to behavior, Amen Clinics has found that underlying brain dysfunction is the #1 reason why people get addicted to bad habits. And brain SPECT imaging, which measures blood flow and activity in the brain, shows that there are 6 different brain types associated with bad habits and addictions. The key to overcoming your unhealthy behaviors is to know your brain type and to use interventions targeted for your brain. With a healthier brain, you’ll finally be able to unchain your brain from your bad habits or addictions. Brain SPECT imaging shows that there are 6 different brain types associated with bad habits and addictions. The key to overcoming your unhealthy behaviors is to know your brain type and use interventions targeted for your brain.
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6 BAD HABITS/ADDICTIONS BRAIN TYPES

Type 1: Compulsive Bad Habits/Addictions

If you have trouble shifting your attention from one thought to the next or from one course of action to the next, you may have the Compulsive Brain Type. These people tend to get stuck on thoughts of smoking, drinking, overeating, gambling or other substances or behaviors. Underneath these bad habits or addictions are obsessive thought patterns that get you locked into a single course of action. It’s hard for you to see options so you keep engaging in unhealthy behavior. Brain scan findings: The most common brain SPECT finding in the Compulsive Brain Type is too much activity in an area of the brain called the anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG). This is often associated with low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The ACG is known as the brain’s gear shifter and it’s what helps you go from thought to thought or action to action. Too much activity here can keep you stuck in bad behaviors even though they are harmful to you and cause consequences in your life. Common conditions: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Help for Compulsive Bad Habits/Addictions: Interventions that boost serotonin to calm activity in the ACG include the following.

Type 2: Impulsive Bad Habits/Addictions

If you’re the type who wants to eliminate bad habits or addictions, but you can’t control your urges, you may have the Impulsive Brain Type. For example, if you want to stop smoking, but whenever you’re around someone else who lights up, you give in to your desire for a cigarette. If you want to quit drinking and no longer keep alcohol in your home, but you can’t say no if someone offers you a drink. Or if you want to cut sugar out of your diet, but if you drive by the bakery, you can’t resist going in and buying cookies. If you have this type, you may have trouble with impulse control even though you have good intentions to change your behaviors. Brain scan findings: This type is associated with low activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is likely due to low levels of dopamine. The PFC acts as the brain’s supervisor and is involved in impulse control, judgment, planning, follow-through, decision-making, and attention. When the PFC is underactive, people can be easily distracted, bored, inattentive, and impulsive. Common conditions: ADD/ADHD Help for Impulsive Bad Habits/Addictions: Interventions that boost dopamine to stimulate activity in the PFC include the following.

Type 3: Impulsive-Compulsive Bad Habits/Addictions

If you give in to your urges impulsively as well as feel compulsively driven to engage in bad habits or addictions, you may have this combination brain type. Brain scan findings: Typical SPECT findings for this type show low activity in the PFC (associated with impulsivity, likely due to low dopamine levels) and too much activity in the ACG (associated with compulsivity and low serotonin levels). This pattern is common in the children and grandchildren of alcoholics. Common conditions: ADD/ADHD, OCD, eating disorders (especially bulimia) Help for Impulsive-Compulsive Bad Habits/Addictions: Interventions that boost both dopamine (to stimulate activity in the PFC) and serotonin (to calm the ACG) include the following.

Type 4: Sad Or Emotional Bad Habits/Addictions

If you have underlying feelings of depression, hopelessness, or negativity and you use alcohol, marijuana, painkillers, food (especially carbs), or other substances or activities to make yourself temporarily feel better, you may have the Sad or Emotional Brain Type. This type is more commonly seen in women. For some people, these feelings may come and go with the seasons and tend to worsen in winter. Others experience mild feelings of chronic sadness, which is called dysthymia. Still, others suffer from more serious depression. Brain scan findings: The typical SPECT findings seen in this type are overactivity in the deep limbic system (the brain’s emotional centers) and underactivity in the PFC. Common conditions: Depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), self-esteem issues Help for Sad or Emotional Bad Habits/Addictions: Interventions that calm the deep limbic system include the following.

Type 5: Anxious Bad Habits/Addictions

If you try to calm your feelings of anxiety, nervousness, or tension, with wine, weed, or watching Internet pornography, you may have the Anxious Brain Type. More commonly seen in women, people with this type often struggle with physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, headaches, stomachaches, nail biting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations. You may feel you need substances to help you relax or “wind down.” If you have this type, you are likely to predict the worst, be extra sensitive to rejection or judgment, or may feel like you’re waiting for something bad to happen. Brain scan findings: On SPECT scans, this type is associated with too much activity in the basal ganglia, likely due to low levels of GABA. Common conditions: Anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotional trauma, panic disorder, chronic stress Help for Anxious Bad Habits/Addictions: Interventions that calm the basal ganglia include the following.

Type 6: Temporal Lobe Bad Habits/Addictions

Do you have bad habits combined with a short temper, mood swings, or problems with your memory or learning? You may have the Temporal Lobe Brain Type. Trouble with the temporal lobes may be due to a number of things. Investigating what’s causing any abnormal activity is critical. Brain scan findings: SPECT scans typically show decreased activity in the temporal lobes, although in some cases, increased activity may be present. Common conditions: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries, exposure to toxins (such as toxic mold), infections (such as Lyme disease) Help for Temporal Lobe Bad Habits/Addictions: Interventions that stabilize activity in the temporal lobes include the following. Addictions—as well as PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, OCD, and other co-occurring issues—can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever, and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk. Many of the traditional methods of dealing with bad habits and addictions—such as “just say no”—aren’t working. This is because they don’t get to the root of the problem, which lies in the brain. Brain dysfunction is the #1 reason why people drink too much, use drugs, and can’t break their bad habits. The brain imaging work at Amen Clinics—more than 160,000 brain scans and growing—reveals valuable insights that the conventional medical community and traditional addiction treatment programs may miss. Brain dysfunction is the #1 reason why people drink too much, use drugs, and can’t break their bad habits.
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1. The brains of female addicts may show signs of past trauma.

The world’s largest database of functional brain scans—over 160,000 scans—that Amen Clinics has built shows that female and male brains are not the same. Some of the differences between the male and female brain can affect what you get addicted to and why. For example, women are at higher risk for sexual assault, domestic violence, and childhood physical abuse, which contributes to women being more than twice as likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than men, according to the National Association on Mental Illness. Research at Amen Clinics using brain SPECT imaging shows that a diamond pattern in the brain is associated with PTSD. Experiencing trauma and having PTSD makes women more likely to self-medicate their negative feelings of anxiety or depression with alcohol, prescription painkillers, marijuana, or food (especially refined carbohydrates and sugary treats). What you need to know: Dealing with past traumas and calming the emotional brain with targeted solutions is essential to stop self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, or food.

2. The brains of male addicts may reveal low activity.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, which is associated with low activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex (PFC). This brain region is responsible for judgment, decision-making, and impulse control. This makes males more impulsive and more likely to engage in risky behavior. They tend to seek out substances, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, or high doses of caffeine in an effort to stimulate the brain. In many cases, taking stimulating substances makes them feel so amped they subsequently feel the need to drink alcohol or smoke pot to relax. What you need to know: Addressing underlying ADD/ADHD with solutions that boost brain activity in the PFC is key to overcoming reliance on coffee, cigarettes, or illicit drugs.

3. Teens often have co-occurring mental health conditions.

Until the age of 25, young brains are going through a process called myelinization that wraps neurons in a protective coating that renders them more efficient. The PFC is the last part of the brain to undergo this process. This is why adolescents are more likely to say “okay” when a friend offers them beer, pot, or Ecstasy. Young people who adopt bad habits or become addicted to substances often have co-existing psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or ADD/ADHD. This is called “dual diagnosis.” The problem is that in traditional addiction treatment programs, these problems may be misdiagnosed since substance abuse can mimic symptoms associated with psychiatric conditions. Similarly, hormonal changes in teens can cause moodiness, sadness, and distractibility. What you need to know: Brain imaging is so helpful in working with young addicts because it can reveal the toxic effects of substance abuse and can detect co-occurring disorders. Brain scans can help determine whether behavior problems are just a normal part of growing up, a symptom of addiction, or the results of underlying brain dysfunction.

4. Older brains are not immune to bad habits or addiction.

Certain age-related conditions can set the stage for the onset of troublesome behaviors or addiction in the graying population. For example, developing frontal lobe dementia can derail the PFC and lead to impulse control problems. Having coronary artery bypass grafting surgery to treat heart disease has been associated with subsequent cognitive impairment and increased risk of addiction and bad behaviors. In addition, many common prescription medications can alter brain chemistry and make older individuals who used to have healthy self-control fall victim to increased substance use. What you need to know: Be sure to investigate any memory problems or cognitive issues and check if any medications may be contributing to your bad habits. Getting off those medications may restore better impulse control.

5. Neurohormone imbalances can trigger problems with alcohol or drugs.

Changing hormones in midlife can negatively affect the brains of both men and women, leaving them more vulnerable to problems with substances. Dr. Marvin “Rick” Sponaugle, founder and medical director of the Sponaugle Wellness Institute, which has successfully treated over 5,000 addicted patients, insists on the role of hormonal imbalances in addiction can’t be overlooked. For women, Sponaugle points to declining levels of progesterone, a calming hormone, during perimenopause as a source for anxiety and insomnia that drives women to abuse drugs and alcohol. Women who normally drink one glass of wine with dinner will progress to a couple of bottles of wine at night. He claims this is the case with more than 40% of the middle-aged females at his treatment facility. What you need to know: Checking hormone levels and balancing them when necessary can be very helpful in breaking bad habits and in maintaining recovery.

6. There are 6 brain types associated with addiction.

Not all addicts are the same. Based on the brain imaging work with tens of thousands of patients, Amen Clinics has identified 6 types of addicts based on brain patterns: Compulsive Addicts, Impulsive Addicts, Impulsive-Compulsive Addicts, Sad or Emotional Addicts, Anxious Addicts, and Temporal Lobes Addicts. Each type comes with its own set of symptoms and requires its own treatment plan. What you need to know: Knowing your addiction brain type is essential for finding the best interventions for your specific needs. Having more than one type is common, and it just means that you may need a combination of interventions to help you unchain your brain.

7. Inadvertently lowering brain activity can contribute to bad habits and addictive behaviors.

There are many things that decrease brain activity, which makes you more vulnerable to bad habits, addiction, or relapse. These include: What you need to know: Putting your brain in a healing environment with good nutrition, adequate sleep, and targeted supplements lay the foundation for breaking bad habits and recovering from addiction. Addictions—as well as PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, and other co-occurring issues—can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever, and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk. When superstar influencer Laura Clery got a brain scan as part of an evaluation at Amen Clinics, she received a diagnosis she never expected—ADD. “Even though I really struggled to focus growing up… and I struggled to take tests, and I never felt very smart,” she says in the Instagram TV post she shared with her 10 million social media followers, “I never really thought about [ADD].” The comedian says she thought she was just lazy and easily distracted as if it was a character flaw. When she was younger, Clery had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but that diagnosis didn’t fit. Clery isn’t alone. At Amen Clinics, the global leader in brain health, thousands of women who had been previously misdiagnosed have learned they actually have ADD (also known as ADHD). There are potentially hundreds of thousands or even millions of women across the U.S. who are struggling with undetected ADD. You may be one of them. And it could be impacting your self-esteem, career, relationships, and personal health and fitness. In the worst-case scenario, it could be ruining your life. Why do so many women with this common condition remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed? Because ADD looks different in females than in males. Why do so many women with this common condition remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed? Because ADD looks different in females than in males.
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ADD SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN

Most people think of ADD as a condition that is primarily seen in males who are hyperactive and impulsive. In fact, women are just as likely as men to have ADD, according to a 2016 paper in The ADHD Report. Even more surprising is the fact that women experience more severe ADD symptoms than their male counterparts, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. However, women tend to have a different type of the condition that comes with its own set of symptoms. The brain imaging work at Amen Clinics, which has the world’s largest database of functional brain scans related to behavior, has helped identify 7 types of ADD. The type that is most common in females is called Inattentive ADD. Although it’s the second most common type of the condition, its symptoms often go unrecognized by many medical professionals. Unfortunately, many women with Inattentive ADD never get diagnosed. Instead, they’re labeled as slow, lazy, spacey, or unmotivated. Unfortunately, many women with Inattentive ADD never get diagnosed. Instead, they’re labeled as slow, lazy, spacey, or unmotivated.
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While people with Classic ADD, the most common type of the condition, bring negative attention to themselves with their hyperactivity, constant chatter, and conflict-driven behavior, women with Inattentive ADD tend to be quiet and distracted. Rather than cause problems, they’re more likely to daydream or look out the window. They’re not as likely to be impulsive or to blurt out inappropriate or hurtful things. They’re frequently thought of as couch potatoes who have trouble finding interest or motivation in their lives.

Core symptoms of all types of ADD include:

Unique symptoms of Inattentive ADD include:

Women with ADD are also more likely than men to have co-existing anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. This can make it more difficult to detect ADD in women and is another reason why brain imaging can be so helpful in getting an accurate diagnosis. Many of the women who come to Amen Clinics with undetected ADD had previously been diagnosed with mood disorders or other issues.

CONSEQUENCES OF UNTREATED OR MISDIAGNOSED ADD IN WOMEN

Having undiagnosed or untreated ADD comes with a very high cost. And it increases the risk of many other issues, including: This often leads many women with undetected or misdiagnosed ADD to engage in unhealthy strategies to deal with their symptoms. In other cases, they may turn to antidepressants, anti-anxiety pills, and other medications to cope with their discomfort. Not only are these medications ineffective in treating the underlying ADD, they can also be loaded with unwanted side effects. Ultimately, it can create a downward spiral that leaves you frustrated and feeling like a failure.

INATTENTIVE ADD IN THE FEMALE BRAIN

On her IGTV post, Clery shared her brain SPECT imaging studies, which showed low activity levels in the front part of her brain, especially when she tried to concentrate. In people who don’t have ADD, concentration typically activates an area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is involved with focus, time management, planning, organization, and critical thinking. In people with ADD, however, concentrating actually reduces activity here, making it difficult to pay attention. This is why simply telling someone with ADD to “try harder” or blaming them for not having enough willpower doesn’t help. Brain imaging shows that the harder they try, the worse it gets. Telling someone with ADD to “try harder” or blaming them for not having enough willpower doesn’t help. Brain imaging shows that the harder they try, the worse it gets.
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The PFC is also involved with sustaining attention span. It trains your mind to focus on important information while filtering out less significant thoughts and sensations. Attention span is required for short-term memory and learning. The PFC, through its many connections within the brain, keeps you on task and allows you to stay with a project until it is finished. The PFC accomplishes this by sending quieting signals to other parts of the brain. In the face of a need to focus, the PFC decreases the distracting input from other brain areas, inhibiting rivals for our attention. However, when the PFC is underactive, less of a filtering mechanism is available and distractibility becomes common. Problems in the PFC often lead to decreased attention span, distractibility, impaired short-term memory, decreased mental speed, apathy, and decreased verbal expression. Underactivity or damage in the PFC can also lead to a decreased ability to express thoughts and feelings. These are things women may experience when they have Inattentive ADD. But they often chalk it up to being lazy, ditzy, or unmotivated. In too many cases, these are unkind labels they have been given by their parents, teachers, or coaches. A large number of the female patients at Amen Clinics who learn they have ADD say that they spent their whole lives thinking they were stupid. If you have undiagnosed ADD, you may feel this way too.

ENHANCING BRAIN FUNCTION IN INATTENTIVE ADD

The brain imaging work at Amen Clinics shows that even if your PFC is underactive and you’ve had undetected ADD for decades, you have the opportunity to optimize your brain function and enhance your life. With the right treatment, you can be more focused, more organized, and more motivated to reach your goals. This has positive implications for every area of your life—career, health and fitness, relationships, and self-esteem. Many women assume that medication is the only treatment option for ADD. And some, like Clery, hate the idea of taking stimulant medication. “When I think of ADD I think of Adderall, and Adderall is like legal speed,” says the influencer who openly talks about being a former addict (she’s been sober now for several years). “I think it’s extremely addictive, and I think it can destroy people’s lives if they have that addictive personality like I do.” Neuropsychiatrist Daniel G. Amen, MD, the founder of Amen Clinics and 12-time bestselling author who evaluated Clery, has a different view. He says medication should never be the first or only thing you do for ADD. However, he adds, “Withholding appropriate stimulation from somebody who has sleepy frontal lobes is like withholding glasses from somebody who can’t see.” Dr. Amen is quick to point out that medication is not the only option for treating Inattentive ADD or other types of the condition. At Amen Clinics, the ADD brain enhancement program includes medications (when necessary) but also focuses on natural alternatives to ADD medication, including diet, exercise, supplements, neurofeedback, behavioral interventions, psychological strategies, and more. The good news is Inattentive ADD in women is usually very responsive to the right treatment. With an accurate diagnosis and the proper treatment program, you can change your brain, stop feeling bad about yourself, and start living the life you want. ADD/ADHD—as well as anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions—can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.

By Jennifer Love, MD

You’ve seen the memes: A fully packed stadium with the words: “Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, 2021.” “If you have a drink in each hand there’s a 100% chance you won’t touch your face!” We’ve updated our vocabulary to include “Quarantini.” Amazon now sells a Sit and Sip Refillable Winebag Chair, which pictures an enormous beanbag the size of a small car, with a woman lounging atop drinking from a plastic tube.

The message is clear: When crisis strikes, drinking is not only socially acceptable but encouraged. A study early on in the pandemic claims 1 in 3 Americans are more likely to drink alcohol during work hours while in lockdown. The numbers vary by states: 38% of California, New York, and Pennsylvania workers are drinking during work; about 50% in Idaho, Kansas, Iowa, and Virginia; and Hawaii “wins” at a reported 67%. The study didn’t even look at non-work hour consumption!

As mental health care providers, we have to take notice.

THE COVID EFFECT ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE

You may share my observation that shortly into the COVID crisis many psychiatric patients decompensated and needed increasing amounts of attention and treatment, and many addiction patients seemed to recede into some secret abyss.

I’ve also seen a tide of new patients scheduled by concerned family members because hiding an addiction is a lot more challenging when everyone is stuck in the home together. But COVID fear is also a barrier to treatment, as many families refuse to consider treatment modalities that involve anyone leaving the house, limiting treatment to online support.

I’ve been pushed into a more creative role of trying to invent ways to support the recovery of my patients and encouraging ongoing engagement. I’m certainly stretching my Motivational Interviewing muscles, trying to help people find reasons to change behaviors when many literally have nothing to do. Many of our old standbys of “is your drinking causing any problems with work/social interactions/legally…” may not apply. So how can we comfortably discuss increased alcohol or substance use during the COVID era with patients who aren’t in treatment for any addiction?

Well, substance use is like suicide—asking about it is necessary, and it doesn’t increase the risk of someone trying it. So even if you don’t specialize in treating substance use disorders, with a few tips you can proceed comfortably. Refresh yourself with the basics of helping someone increase their own internal motivation for change.

Here are 5 strategies I use.

5 KEYS FOR TALKING ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE

1. Remember, empathy is key.

I tell my patients from day one that we have a “judgment-free space.” I used to be a chemist, and successful experiments don’t rely on judgment. They rely on observation. I go in with a hypothesis, and it’s either correct or incorrect; there’s no need to be attached to whether I’m right. Either way I’m publishing a paper. If we can cultivate a sense of curiosity about ourselves rather than judgment, motivation for self-exploration increases exponentially. Don’t assume your longtime patients know you won’t judge them. Think about how many of them suffer low self-esteem, negative thoughts, and self-doubt. It needs to be stated.

2. I start by asking questions.

“What do you value? Does your current alcohol consumption fit in with those values?” “If COVID is going to go on for a few years, do you want to spend those years being a daily drinker?” “We’re six months in. Did you ever expect to be a daily or near-daily drinker for that long? I think we’re all thinking about that now—even some of my friends and colleagues!” The purpose is for your patient to discover discrepancies between their values or goals and their behavior.

3. Refrain from argument.

Your patient already knows your opinion on smoking, drinking, using drugs, playing video games, or watching porn 12 hours a day. They aren’t discussing this with you because they don’t know what is best; we, as humans, are just wired not to want to make changes. Confrontation slams the door.

4. Encourage curiosity.

Since we as humans resist change, encourage curiosity about internal resistance. I once did a podcast called “Why don’t I want to do the things I want to do?” I want to eat healthy and exercise, but what I really want is to eat pizza and watch Netflix. Judging the pizza and inactivity doesn’t inspire change, it induces shame, which drives people inward (now curled up on the couch). Being curious about the pizza and inactivity allows someone to explore the thoughts and feelings that contribute to their internal resistance and do what they logically want to do.

5. Support an environment of self-efficacy and optimism.

This is when I bring out my famous (ha!) snorkeling analogy. Yes, the words, “Life is like snorkeling” have escaped my lips more than once, but hear me out. We’re out snorkeling, eyes on the colors—the fish, the coral, watching out for reef sharks—and every once in a while, we have to stop, look up, and see where land is. We have to make sure we haven’t drifted. Sometimes we have to swim over to a new area, and then can start looking down again, getting caught up in the colorful show of life. We will hopefully do this a few times in life—make sure where we are is where we want to be in relation to our “grounding spot.” Are you where you want to be? Are your patients?

About the Author: Jennifer Love, MD, Amen Clinics Orange County, CA

Dr. Jennifer Love is board-certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Love is an award-winning researcher and international speaker, interested in the interface between cultural and spiritual factors and overall mental health. She is also suboxone certified. Dr. Love’s work focuses on restoring life balance, brain and body health, and helping her patients improve their functionality and satisfaction in life. She considers a wide range of interventions including nutraceuticals, medication, exercise, yoga, psychotherapy, and sleep/relaxation training. Her specialties include mood disorders, substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, anger and irritability, behavioral addictions, co-occurring pain, and opioid dependence.

Dr. Love is the co-author of When Crisis Strikes: 5 Steps to Heal Your Brain, Body, and Life from Chronic Stress. Stay up to date by following @dr_author_jennifer_love on Instagram.

“So what, mom, it’s just a few beers.”

Have you ever heard that refrain from your kid? If so, it’s time to talk about drinking. You may think you’re powerless to put a stop to underage drinking, but did you know that parents are the #1 reason why kids decide not to drink alcohol?

What you say to your kids about drinking can change their life for the better.

THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF UNDERAGE DRINKING

There’s no doubt that teenage drinking is fraught with trouble—drunk driving, car accidents, risky sexual activity, and stupid decisions. These are just some of the familiar short-term consequences associated with alcohol intake during the teenage years.

What many parents don’t realize is that drinking also comes with many long-term emotional, cognitive, and brain health consequences. For example, did you know that heavy drinking as a teen is associated with an increased risk of:

These issues can have devastating impacts on your teen’s future. They can keep your child from reaching their academic potential, prevent them from getting into the college they want, or deprive them of a scholarship they might have earned. They can also be detrimental to relationships, future career opportunities, and overall well-being. In short, it can ruin their life.

THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE TEENAGE BRAIN

A growing body of brain imaging research shows that teenage drinking also has damaging effects on the brain, which is undergoing rapid development up until the age of about 25. Here are some of the ways it can impact the teen brain.

HOW TO TALK TO TEENS ABOUT DRINKING

Talking to your teen about drinking is so important. Here are 6 tips to help you do it.

1. Start early and don’t stop.

It’s important to start talking to kids about alcohol before they enter the teen years. But it’s equally important to think of this as an ongoing conversation rather than a one-and-done deal. Continue talking to them about drinking when they are in junior high, high school, and beyond.

2. Show, don’t just tell.

Seeing is believing. Showing young people the brain scans of healthy people versus those who are moderate drinkers or alcoholics can be an eye-opener. This article on “5 Scary Ways Alcohol Can Damage the Brain” shows a brain scan of a drinker and can provide you with some good talking points.

3. Encourage kids to love their brain.

Share the knowledge that loving and caring for their brain will help them be happier, get better grades, be more successful, have stronger relationships with their friends, and have a better love life. The Amen University online course “Brain Thrive By 25” is taught in high schools around the country and can help kids learn how to love and care for their brain.

4. Pay attention.

Show your child that you care about them by paying attention to them. Be on the lookout for behaviors that may be signs they are drinking and talk to them about it. Kids are more likely to drink when they believe their parents won’t find out, so be present and be aware. And talk to them about what you notice.

5. Be a good role model.

Don’t take the “do as I say not as I do” approach. If you are routinely having alcoholic beverages when your child is around, they will learn that drinking is okay. Think about the behavior you are modeling for your kids.

6. Get help early.

If your youngster is developing a drinking problem, don’t wait to seek help. Talk to them about seeing a professional who can help them regain control of their life.

Addictions, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, and other mental health issues can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time.

At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834. If all our specialists are busy helping others, you can also schedule a time to talk.