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Do you typically wind down with wine? Crack open a 6-pack of beer at the end of a hard day at work? Or did you overdo it with alcohol in the past? It’s no surprise that excessive drinking is harmful to your brain. But is that harm permanent? Or can you heal your brain even if you’ve been bad to it? That’s a question baseball World Series MVP and 4-time All-Star Troy Glaus had when he visited Amen Clinics for a brain SPECT scan. In an episode of Scan My Brain with Dr. Daniel Amen, the former Angels’ slugger says he didn’t drink much in high school or college. It wasn’t until he hit the major leagues that he joined his teammates in a culture that encouraged alcohol use. “The game would be over at about 10 PM, and I’d be super excited and wired, and I’d have some drinks to help get to sleep,” says Glaus. Sometimes, he admits, a few drinks would turn into 5 or 6 drinks, and he would be “wasted, pass out, and wake up at 10 AM the next day.” Drinking not only helped him get to sleep, but it also helped the baseball player deal with chronic pain. As Glaus says, in the major leagues, “Everybody is in pain. We used to say that if you’re not hurt, you’re not playing hard enough.” He and many other players used alcohol to numb that pain. “The game’s over, you’ve iced everything down, and everything still hurts. Alcohol was a reprieve,” he says. Although alcohol offers short-term relief, it comes with long-term side effects. Years after retiring from baseball, Glaus’ drinking was creating issues in other areas of his life, including in his relationship with his wife and son. He was curious to see how the alcohol had affected his brain and if it was beyond hope.

DRINKING ALCOHOL AND THE BRAIN

Brain SPECT imaging is a brain imaging tool that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. It shows 3 things: areas with healthy activity, areas that are working too hard, and areas that aren’t working hard enough. SPECT scans of people who drink too much typically show markedly unhealthy patterns of blood flow and brain activity. In particular, excessive alcohol use leads to a pattern on SPECT called scalloping, or overall decreased blood flow and activity. This has been associated with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADD/ADHD, and more. Low blood flow is also the #1 brain imaging predictor that a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, research shows that people who drink every day have smaller brains. When it comes to the brain, size matters! For Glaus, seeing his brain scan was a wake-up call. It showed the distinctive scalloping pattern associated with drinking too much. It also showed evidence of past concussions and other concerning issues. In terms of his brain health, Glaus initially thought, “I was worried it was too far gone….I thought there was irreparable damage.” But he was motivated to follow a treatment plan because he wanted to be happier and more relaxed and to be a better example for his son. Two months later, he had a follow-up SPECT scan to check his progress. What he saw was stunning.

HEALING THE BRAIN AFTER EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL USE

Brain SPECT imaging shows that it is possible to improve brain health even if you’ve been a heavy drinker. At Amen Clinics, before-and-after SPECT scans of patients who have stopped drinking or overcome addictions show some of the most dramatic improvements in cerebral blood flow and brain activity. After about 2 months of giving up alcohol and following his treatment plan, Glaus’ follow-up scan revealed remarkable improvements. His brain was fuller with more symmetrical activity and better blood flow. His brain activity was especially enhanced in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an area involved in impulse control, forethought, judgment, and follow-through. Seeing the improvements inspired the former baseball player to keep working on his new brain healthy habits. “It’s nice to see results from the work you put in,” he says. Along with having a better brain, Glaus is also enjoying a better life and says, “I feel great. I feel clearer. I feel healthier. I have much more energy.” He isn’t the only one who has noticed the positive difference. His wife says he’s like a new person. “He’s loving life, is more excited about things, and has more passion,” she says. “My son and I see the changes, and we love it!”

BRAIN HEALING INTERVENTIONS FOR HEAVY DRINKERS

Interventions that can help heal the brain if you drink too much or have had a drinking problem in the past include the following:

Eliminate the alcohol.

If you’ve already cut down on your alcohol consumption, or you’re completely sober congratulations! That is a huge step to healing your brain. If you are still drinking and need help to stop, look into a brain-centered treatment program.

Investigate the underlying causes of why you use alcohol.

Determine if something such as anxiety or depression is leading you to self-medicate with alcohol and seek mental health treatment for those issues. If you use alcohol to gain relief from chronic pain, consider other therapies, such as hypnosis.

Adopt brain-healthy habits.

Avoid things that hurt your brain and engage in things that help it, such as physical exercise. Every time you make a decision, ask yourself, “Is this good for my brain or bad for my brain?”

Try hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

HBOT is a simple, non-invasive, painless treatment with minimal side effects that use the power of oxygen to enhance the healing process and reduce inflammation. Before-and-after SPECT scans of patients who have undergone HBOT show remarkable improvements in blood flow.

Take nutritional supplements and medications (if needed).

Support your brain health with targeted nutraceuticals as well as any prescription medications you need. Addictions and other mental health issues 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. How is it possible that people who appear to have it all—a successful career, good looks, athleticism, or lots of friends, for example—can feel like they aren’t good enough? Sadly, thinking “I’m not good enough” is a far-too common thought that can plague people of all ages, income levels, education levels, and cultures. This one belief is the mother thought of despair. It can drag you down and ruin your life by breeding anxiety, depression, and in some people, suicidal thoughts and behaviors. And when you don’t feel worthy as a human being, it can make you feel like your life doesn’t matter, which makes you more vulnerable to engaging in unhealthy habits, such as overeating, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or using drugs. “I’m not good enough.” This one belief is the mother thought of despair. It can drag you down and ruin your life by breeding anxiety, depression, and in some people, suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
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No one is immune to this toxic thought. Look at music superstar Meghan Trainor. She had a #1 song worldwide—something only a handful of people on the globe have ever accomplished—yet she is wracked with worries that she isn’t successful enough. In an episode of Scan My Brain with Dr. Daniel Amen, she revealed that she routinely stresses about her career and forgets about all that success she had from her debut song “All About That Bass.” Do you feel this way too? What’s behind this harmful notion and how can you overcome it?

Here are 7 reasons that fuel thoughts of not being good enough and ways to change your thinking, so you can feel better about yourself.

1. Self-criticism

Are you frequently thinking that you aren’t good enough, that you’re a failure, or that you don’t deserve love? These thoughts are all ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) that infest your mind and steal your happiness. Feel better fast: Don’t believe every self-critical or negative thought you have. Challenge the ANT by asking yourself if the thought is true. Then try to find evidence that the opposite of that thought is more true.

2. Comparing yourself to others

These days, it’s almost impossible not to compare yourself to others on social media. But trying to live up to the images you see online is a recipe for feeling like a failure. Feel better fast: Stop trying to judge yourself based on the success of others. Instead, strive to be the best version of yourself.

3. Focusing on the negative

If you won a game of table tennis by a score of 11-3, would you focus on the 3 points you lost and beat yourself up about what you did wrong? When you focus on what you’re doing wrong or on areas of your life where you don’t measure up, it trains your brain to look for more negativity and keeps you mired in low self-esteem. Feel better fast: Write down the 20 top accomplishments in your life and 5 positive attributes you have and look at it any time you’re feeling down about yourself. By focusing on your strengths and accomplishments, you will develop a healthier self-esteem.

4. Perfectionism

When you believe that the only way others will love you or value you is if you’re perfect, you are setting yourself up for failure, anxiety, and depression. This kind of toxic perfectionism is extremely harmful to your overall emotional well-being. Feel better fast: When you make a mistake, try to treat yourself the same way you would treat a friend or family member. Learn to forgive yourself.

5. Childhood trauma

Experiencing physical or sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or other traumas as a child can have a lasting negative impact on your sense of self-worth. Feel better fast: Seek help from a professional mental health provider to address any unresolved issues stemming from adverse childhood experiences.

6. Critical parents

While you were a child, was it impossible to please one or both of your parents? Were you criticized about your looks, weight, schoolwork, choice of friends, and other things? For example, if you were proud to come home from school with B-plusses on your report card, did your mom or dad neglect to congratulate your hard work and ask why you didn’t get As? Constant parental criticism can set you up for a lifetime of feeling like you aren’t good enough. Feel better fast: Remember that when parents criticize a child, it often has more to do with their own issues than the child’s. Try not to take their remarks personally.

7. Negative social circle

If you surround yourself with people who are negative and who point out others’ flaws, you will likely adopt that same attitude. Feel better fast: Surround yourself with positive people who are encouraging and supportive, and who lift you up. You will feel better about yourself. Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and other mental health issues 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. As COVID-19 variants cause a surge in mild cases, you may think getting sick won’t be so bad. People with the illness are complaining of physical symptoms such as headaches, body aches, congestion, cough, and fever. But even if COVID-19 symptoms resolve quickly, there is still a possibility of experiencing detrimental effects on mental health. Anxiousness, blue moods, and other issues may develop or worsen. In some people, mild COVID infections have precipitated a sudden onset of significant neuropsychiatric illness. For example, a case study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry detailed how a 30-year-old man with mild COVID symptoms began experiencing delusions, extreme anxiety, paranoia, and violent outbursts. He also experienced hypersomnia—sleeping 22 hours a day—followed by a period of insomnia during which he slept only 3-4 hours a day. Other cases of sudden severe psychiatric symptoms in those with mild COVID cases were noted in JAMA Neurology. However, the mental health issues in people who have had COVID can also develop more slowly and aren’t typically so severe. In some instances, you may not connect feelings of sadness or nervousness with the illness you had weeks or months earlier. This is why if you test positive for COVID, you need to be on the lookout for any changes in your mental health and address them early. If you test positive for COVID, you need to be on the lookout for any changes in your mental health and address them early.
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COVID-19 EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH

A wealth of emerging research shows that having COVID-19—even mild or moderate cases—can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as other mental health or brain-related problems. These are some of the symptoms of long-haul COVID, which Amen Clinics calls COVID-Brain. Here’s a look at some of the evidence about the COVID-mental health connection. A 2021 study in The Lancet analyzed data from 236,379 people diagnosed with COVID-19 and found that 34% of people developed psychiatric or neurological problems within 6 months following infection. The most common mental health issues included the following: An earlier study in The Lancet found that 20% of COVID-19 patients who had no history of mental illness developed a psychiatric issue within 3 months of getting diagnosed with the disease. Add these findings to a 2020 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showing that long-term consequences of COVID-19 may include depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), psychosis, insomnia, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as brain-related issues such as memory loss, poor attention, mild cognitive impairment, and accelerated brain aging. There is another link between COVID-19 and mental health. An additional 2021 study in The Lancet found that a commonly used antidepressant, fluvoxamine, may reduce the risk of severe disease from COVID-19. Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which has anti-inflammatory properties and may have anti-viral effects.

COVID-19 AND THE EMOTIONAL BRAIN

Brain SPECT imaging scans of patients at Amen Clinics reveal that COVID-19 can contribute to changes in brain activity. SPECT is a functional brain imaging technique that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. SPECT scans of Amen Clinics patients show elevated activity in the limbic system, which is considered the brain’s emotional center. The limbic system is the part of the brain that colors our emotions and is involved with bonding, nesting, feeding, sexuality, and emotions. Heightened activity in the limbic system is associated with an increased risk of sadness, negative thinking, sleep problems, and clinical depression.

OVERCOMING POST-COVID MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Anyone who is experiencing the onset or worsening of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues post-COVID should seek professional help. Brain SPECT imaging, which shows activity patterns in the brain, can help provide answers regarding mental health problems. In addition, functional or integrative medicine providers can investigate root causes of anxiety and depressive symptoms to determine if issues such as chronic infections or systemic inflammation may be contributing to symptoms. In addition to getting professional help, there are many things you can do to boost mental health post-COVID. Here are 5 simple at-home strategies to boost moods and calm anxious minds: COVID-Brain and the mental health issues associated with it 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. Depression has been called the silent killer, but certain foods and beverages can be working just as stealthily to worsen the symptoms of this potentially deadly disorder. Research has demonstrated how diet can create negative or positive impacts on mental health. Unfortunately, the typical American diet has been known to exacerbate everything from anxiety to autism. With over 7% of the adult population suffering from depression, it’s important to know which foods can help fight this common disorder—and which to avoid. Here’s a quick look at some of the worst offenders. With over 7% of the adult population suffering from depression, it’s important to know which foods can help fight this common disorder—and which to avoid.
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9 Foods That Make Depression Worse

1. Vegetable Oils

Common vegetable oils, including canola, corn, safflower, and soy, contain higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which have been associated with inflammation, depressive disorder, memory issues, and a decline in cognitive function, including Alzheimer’s. As a 2007 study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found, diets high in omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios may lead to enhanced risk for both depression and inflammatory diseases. The reasons for this may be evolutionary. Research suggests that as early humans evolved, they ate a diet with an almost equal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, but in our industrialized society, omega-6 intake (from foods like vegetable oils) far surpasses omega-3 intake. This significant imbalance means that the brain does not obtain the fuel it needs to function optimally, leading to issues like depression.

2. Trans Fats

Trans fats came under fire in the U.S. after the turn of the millennium, and for good reason. Though the FDA banned trans fats in 2015, giving manufacturers a few years to comply, food labeling can be misleading, as trans fats contain less than 0.5 grams can be expressed as “0 grams.” These fats are found in partially hydrogenated oils—still found in many processed convenience foods, like store-bought baked goods, microwave popcorn, frozen pizza, fried foods, margarine, and more. In addition to their well-publicized negative health effects, such as rising levels of “bad cholesterol,” trans fats have also been linked to depressive symptoms. Multiple studies have shown that trans fats cause inflammation and therefore have a negative effect on mental well-being.

3. Alcohol

Though many Americans reach for booze to self-medicate in the face of everything from clinical depression to short-term stresses, alcohol ultimately makes people feel worse, not better. In addition to its dehydrating nature, unpleasant behavioral side effects, and alarming consequences for the brain, alcohol can actually increase depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts. A 2019 report in Alcohol Research noted that psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and mood disorders, commonly co-occur with alcohol use disorder (AUD), with depressive disorders being the most common. What’s more, when both depression and AUD are present, both the symptoms and prognosis are worse—including a greater risk of suicidal behavior.

4. Meat Alternatives

Adopting a vegetarian diet sounds like a good idea for one’s personal health and the health of the planet, but there are potential downsides. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders explained that, among almost 50,000 participants, vegetarians tallied higher depression scores. One of the researchers detailed in Psychology Today several possible reasons for the link, suggesting that depressive symptoms may precede this dietary choice and not the other way around. Regardless, when vegetarians and flexitarians alike decide to replace their former go-to proteins with highly processed meat alternatives, it’s important to scan labels to understand what’s actually inside that protein replacement. Or try filling your plate with whole foods like vegetables, grains, and healthy fats, and, if you must, make meat alternatives an occasional indulgence.

5. High-Glycemic Foods

Eating a diet chock full of foods with a high glycemic index, such as sweetened drinks, processed meats, and processed baked goods, has been linked to a greater risk of depression through various research, including a 2015 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Collecting and analyzing data from almost 70,000 women with no history of mental health disorders (including depression) or substance abuse, they found that those eating a high-glycemic diet, with high levels of refined carbs, had an increased risk of depression. Interestingly, after the study’s 3-year period, researchers concluded that added sugars, not total sugars or total carbohydrates, were strongly associated with the onset of depression.

6. Toxic Fish

Research shows that mercury can contribute to a surprising array of health complications, including neurological, immune, cardiac, reproductive, and even genetic disorders. While fish are often considered healthy choices for their rich omega-3 content, some varieties of fish contain dangerously high levels of mercury, and exposure to heavy metals has been linked to depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism, and lupus, among other health concerns. Here’s a general rule of thumb: The larger the fish, the higher the mercury content, so choose smaller types. Organizations like Seafood Watch and the FDA can help with providing safe recommendations.

7. Artificial Sweeteners

Sugar substitutes may offer up low- and no-calorie alternatives, but they’re often accompanied by their own health-damaging baggage. For example, a 2018 study noted that aspartame (found in brands like NutraSweet and Equal) has been associated with depression, anxiety, irritable moods, insomnia, and a range of other neurophysiological issues. Furthermore, aspartame, as well as saccharine (found in Sweet’N Low) and sucralose (sold as Splenda), can help create high insulin levels, which are associated with a higher risk for depression.

8. Gluten

While sensitivities to gluten, including celiac disease, have been tied to mood disorders, studies show that nixing gluten can offer mental health benefits for individuals with these concerns. Research in Psychiatric Quarterly has linked these sensitivities to depression, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and other issues. However, a 2018 review of 13 studies on gluten and mood symptoms found that adopting a gluten-free diet significantly improved depressive symptoms—and therefore may be one helpful strategy for treating mood disorders in those with such sensitivities.

9. Pesticide-Laden Produce

Pesticides, applied in agriculture to keep pests like insects and mold from destroying crops, have been associated with everything from cancer and hormone disruption to cognitive and behavioral problems, according to the Environmental Working Group. Therefore, a review published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health aimed to examine the findings that stated high pesticide exposure correlates with a greater risk for psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior. The authors found that multiple studies noted increased suicide rates in areas with intensive pesticide use while working in agriculture seems to create a higher suicide risk, versus other occupations. To help minimize pesticide exposure, wash produce thoroughly before eating and choose organic when possible. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues can’t wait. 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 the U.S., millions of people celebrate “Happy Hour” to decompress at the end of the day. Whether it’s at a bar, a casual get-together with friends, or alone with some beers or a bottle of wine, drinking to unwind is par for the course in American culture. And this lifestyle is clearly reflected back to us on TV and in other media advertising by its portrayal of people smiling and having fun, which then makes drinking alcohol seem like the best way to feel good.

Are You a Heavy Drinker Without Knowing It?

To put your drinking in perspective, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines heavy alcohol users in this way: If you’re like many other people, your drinking habit might have gotten worse during the pandemic, even when restrictions were placed on social interactions. According to a research article in JAMA Network Open, in March 2020—right off the bat—store sales of alcohol in the U.S. increased 54% over the previous year, while online liquor sales increased a whopping 262%! Another study that was published in December 2020 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health assessed changes in alcohol consumption during the pandemic. The researchers found that 60% of the participants drank more, with almost half of that group drinking to help them manage their stress. This is essentially the same reason so many people use alcohol to unwind at the end of the day anyway.

10 Alcohol-Free Ways to Wind Down

Even though its use is very common, alcohol is a toxin. In addition to the potential for addiction, it increases your risk of liver, heart, pancreas, and brain diseases as well as colon, breast, oral, esophageal, rectal, and liver cancers. Therefore, learning to de-stress without that cold beer, cocktail, or glass of wine will do wonders for the health of your body and your brain. Learning to de-stress without that cold beer, cocktail, or glass of wine will do wonders for the health of your body and your brain.
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Here are 10 great ways to wind down without the booze:

1. Go outside and get some fresh air.

Whether it’s taking your kids to a park, walking the dog, or going for a long stroll while listening to some music or a podcast, simply getting out of your work orbit, moving your body, and shifting your focus onto positive things can help you feel more relaxed.

2. Read a book.

If you’ve been on your feet all day and can’t wait for a chance to relax on your derriere, sit down in a comfy chair (instead of on a barstool) and spend some time reading a good book. Stories can capture our attention and help to shift our thoughts away from the day’s stressors.

3. Cuddle or play with your pet(s).

The mere act of spending time with your furry friends can lower levels of the notorious stress hormone, cortisol. At the same time, it boosts levels of oxytocin which helps you relax. Petting your dog or cat can also lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

4. Exercise.

One of the best ways to shake off the day’s tension is by breaking a sweat and getting in a good workout. Not only is exercise effective in lowering cortisol levels too, but it also increases the production of endorphins, the body’s pain-relieving hormones. And, if you’ve had a really tough day, consider playing a competitive game of tennis, pickleball, racquetball—or even ping pong—to exercise your body and your brain!

5. Do some yoga.

Whether you’re a total beginner or an advanced practitioner, this 5,000-year-old practice helps to reduce mental and physical tension. It can improve muscle strength and the breathing exercises that are incorporated into the movements or poses can induce a sense of calm and clarity.

6. Spend time on your favorite hobby.

If you like to garden, carve wood, play an instrument, paint, sew, or engage in other creative leisure activities, take time after work—or whenever you’re feeling stressed out—to immerse yourself in it for a while. Shifting your focus onto something enjoyable, like hobbies, can lower your blood pressure and stress hormones. Plus it’s fun, which is why you like to do it!

7. Try some meditation.

Sometimes after a long day, it can be difficult to turn off all the noise in your head, which then prolongs feelings of stress. Meditating can help you let go of all that chatter while lowering stress hormones and at the same time enhancing your brain function. If you’ve never done it before, you can find plenty of free beginner meditations online.

8. Have a nice long soak.

Take some time to yourself and draw a hot bath with some lavender, bergamot, or cedarwood essential oil sprinkled into the water. Soaking in the tub causes your skin to release endorphins which makes your muscles relax, so it can be the perfect antidote for a long day.

9. Watch a comedy.

Whether it’s a TV show, stand-up act, or hilarious movie, laughter is one of the best ways to release your tension Interestingly, when you’re having a good laugh at something really funny, your stress response system gets activated at first but then lowers itself. This reduces your blood pressure and heart rate causing you to feel relaxed and happy—with a smile on your face.

10. Choose a non-alcoholic drink.

It is 100% possible to gather with your friends and have a great time even when you are going booze-free. Sparkling water with some lemon, lime, or a few drops of flavored stevia, a low sugar mocktail, or even ice water is refreshing and will give you something cold to sip on while enjoying good company. If alcohol consumption has become your go-to way of coping, you are certainly not alone. Many others increased how much they drink too and now are struggling with overcoming this bad habit. However, by practicing new ways to unwind and release your stress, like the ones described above, you’ll discover how possible and easy it is to decompress in a healthy manner while protecting yourself from the harmful effects of alcohol. Alcohol and drug addiction can’t wait. 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. 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. 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. Everyone in Jessica’s family has repeatedly been the target of her unbounded rage, yet she takes no responsibility for her behavior. Ironically, she feels like people hate her, and doesn’t seem to understand why. Jessica has had anger problems all of her life, and now at age 18, she continues to destroy relationships and other things in her path. Without question, she is a very difficult and challenging teen. She has undergone numerous psychiatric evaluations, been admitted twice for 72-hour involuntary stays at mental health facilities, was sent to 3 different residential treatment schools, and was arrested for assaulting her mother. No treatment has successfully changed Jessica’s behavior. Not only does she continue to lash out at others—without provocation, but she also lies, has zero empathy or apology for her behavior, and acts entitled. Yet, she blames everyone else for the problems she invokes. Is it Jessica’s fault? Or is there something happening in her brain that is driving her behavior?

Dr. Phil’s Insight: Jessica Needs a Brain Scan

Jessica, her mother, Victoria, and other family members were on the Dr. Phil show to see if he could help them.  After learning more about her, Dr. Phil said he believed that Jessica has not yet been properly diagnosed and that for her to make changes to her behavior, she will need to get her brain assessed and treated. He recommended that she undergo an evaluation that includes brain SPECT imaging with Dr. Daniel Amen, world-renowned neuropsychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics. By using SPECT scans, the doctors at Amen Clinics can identify areas of the brain that aren’t working well and are likely causing problems for a patient. By using SPECT scans, the doctors at Amen Clinics can identify areas of the brain that aren’t working well and are likely causing problems for a patient.
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Dr. Amen appeared on the show to talk with Jessica and her family about the results from her brain scans, which showed she has severe temporal lobe ADD. This condition is caused by lower-than-normal activity in her prefrontal cortex (PFC) and temporal lobes and is one of the 7 Types of ADD discovered through the brain imaging work at Amen Clinics.

Temper Problems and Other Temporal Lobe Symptoms

The temporal lobes, which are on either side of the brain, play a critical role in mood stability, temper control, and learning. This finding likely accounts for Jessica’s aggression and emotional instability, as well as the learning disorder and reading difficulties she was diagnosed with in childhood. It was not her fault that she struggled academically—this part of her brain does not work as well as it should. Temporal lobes are also involved with other important functions; thus, deficits in this part of the brain can also be related to problems with:

Prefrontal Cortex Symptoms

Jessica’s scans also revealed low activity in her prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is a consistent finding in all types of ADD. When the PFC works well, it helps us stay focused and on task. It also helps us control our emotions and behavior. But when the activity in the PFC is low, it can lead to many issues, including problems with: The PFC is also like the command center for behavior and functions as its “brakes.” This may explain why Jessica uninhibitedly attacks people: The decreased blood flow in her temporal lobes contributes to her rage, while the low blood flow in her PFC makes it difficult to stop herself.

Moodiness, Anger, and More in Temporal Lobe ADD

Sudden bursts of unbridled anger are common with temporal lobe ADD, along with these behaviors and symptoms: Dr. Amen also noted that according to her scans, the emotional center in Jessica’s brain was overactive, which can cause a person to be prone to depression or color the world with negativity.

There is Hope for Temporal Lobe ADD and Anger Issues

The good news for Jessica is that her brain problems are treatable, especially because her brain is still developing—and will continue to until she’s in her mid-twenties. There’s an opportunity for significant improvement if she chooses to comply with the treatment plan Dr. Amen created for her. Aside from any medication or supplements to support brain function, there are some specific lifestyle changes necessary to help Jessica optimize her brain function. These include: Dr. Amen told Jessica that if she does the right things now to rehabilitate her brain, she’ll be able to achieve her potential—and not have to live with the regret that she didn’t take those steps. Getting her family involved in supporting her in adopting brain healthy habits is another strategy that is important for anyone trying to overcome mental health challenges. ADD, depression, 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. People are struggling with suicidal thoughts, especially with pandemic-related anxiety, depression, and loneliness casting a heavy gloom. Japan is reeling from an alarming rise in suicide, with more people dying by suicide in a single month than by COVID-19 during the entire pandemic. And a November 2020 study in BMJ suggests preventive action must be taken now to strengthen mental health in order to avoid this distressing trend from emerging throughout the world. Approximately 9.3 million Americans reported having suicidal thoughts, according to CDC statistics from 2015. By contrast, an estimated 1.3 million attempted suicide that year, confirming that most people who have these thoughts don’t act on them. After 30 years of clinical practice at Amen Clinics, including thousands of suicidal patients, it’s clear that having thoughts about suicide isn’t uncommon. One of the most important findings from treating thousands of patients at Amen Clinics is this: Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
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SUICIDE IN THE BRAIN

You may think it’s your fault that you’re contemplating ending your own life. However, brain SPECT imaging reveals that people with suicidal thoughts often have abnormal activity in the brain. The brain imaging work at Amen Clinics, which includes over 300 people who have attempted suicide, has found that certain brain patterns are common in people with thoughts about self-harm. Amen Clinics brain imaging studies on suicide and brain function have been published in peer-reviewed journals, including Translational Psychiatry and The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. These studies show that suicidality is associated with dysfunction in the brain’s limbic system (emotional centers), impaired impulse control, and low blood flow in a region known as Brodmann Area 25 that is commonly seen in treatment-resistant depression. “When my patients see their brain scans, it can be so helpful in reducing the shame, guilt, and self-blame they feel,” says Daniel Emina, MD, a neuropsychiatrist at Amen Clinics and the author of the upcoming book The Suicide Solution. “When people understand why they feel the way they do, and that there are ways to enhance their brain health and reduce suicidal thinking, it can be life-saving and life-changing. It can help them chart a path into life and freedom.”

8 WAYS TO FIND HOPE WHEN DARK THOUGHTS CLOUD YOUR MIND

1. Look for distractions.

If you get stuck on suicidal thoughts, picture a big red stop sign in your mind and say, “STOP!” Keep a list handy with ways to distract yourself from looping thoughts, such as taking a walk, exercising, getting in nature, reading an uplifting book, petting your dog, dancing to your favorite music, or eating a mood supportive meal (portion appropriate healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbs) that includes mood foods that fight depression. Consider channeling your negative emotions into creative actions (journaling, painting, cooking, making music, caring for others, etc.)

2. Challenge your negative thoughts.

Are you filled with thoughts like these? “I’m worthless.” “Life isn’t worth living.” “My family would be better off without me.” These are ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) that infest your mind and steal your happiness. Learning to question your thoughts is one of the most important tools you can use to find the light amid the darkness. Whenever you have one of these thoughts, ask yourself if it is true. Then ask yourself if the opposite of that thought is true and look for examples.

3. Remember to breathe.

“If you feel overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts, it’s common for your breathing to become quicker and shallower, which in turn can activate your fight or flight system, driving up your stress neurotransmitters, and impairing decision-making,” says Dr. Emina. Whenever you have suicidal thoughts, remind yourself to breathe deeply (deep belly breaths, not with your chest), taking twice as long to exhale as the inhale. For example, inhale for 3 seconds, hold it for one second, then exhale for 6 seconds. Doing this 10 times can help you feel better and clear your thinking.

4. Reach out to someone.

If clouds of dark thoughts descend on you while you’re alone, reach out to a family member, friend, minister, counselor, or any other person who will be supportive. “When suicidal thoughts are closing in on you, it can be hard to think about who to contact, so it’s a good idea to make a list of people in your support system so you’ll have it available when you need it,” says Dr. Emina. Simply add them to your favorites on your phone or use an APP like “My3App” to help you organize your safety net.

5. Don’t drink alcohol.

Over one-third of suicide victims consumed alcohol prior to their suicide attempt, according to statistics. Alcohol decreases blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, an area involved in impulse control, judgment, and decision-making. “When you drink or use other substances that lower activity in the frontal lobes, it can reduce your impulse control which can have devastating consequences,” says Dr. Emina. “When you’re in a stable state, you may think, ‘I want to die…but I don’t want to hurt my children.’ When alcohol fogs your thinking, you’re less likely to consider the consequences of your actions.”

6. Create a Hope Box

A strategy that many patients find helpful is to find a box and fill it with things that give you hope and that make you want to live. Make a list of the reasons why life is worth living. Include quotes, mantras, and verses that encourage you, photos of the people you love, mementos that are meaningful to you, and cards or letters that make you smile. Whenever you’re feeling down, open your Hope Box and let it fill you with inspiration.

7. Think about the legacy you’re leaving.

Remind yourself that children and teens who lose a parent to suicide are three times more likely to take their own lives, according to research in The Psychiatric Clinics of North America.

8. Seek professional help.

You don’t have to face troublesome thoughts alone. Finding a mental health care professional who uses brain imaging can help you understand your brain, optimize its function, develop strategies to challenge your thoughts, and find hope and healing. Work with a professional to create a pre-emptive safety plan to include reducing access to any potential methods of self-harm while creating a network of supports. If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). At Amen Clinics, we have treated hundreds of people who have attempted suicide, and thousands more who have contemplated it. We specialize in precision psychiatry that includes brain SPECT imaging to identify underlying brain abnormalities that increase the risk of suicide and offer personalized treatment plans to optimize the brain and lead to a happier, healthier outlook on life. If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal tendencies and would like more information on how to heal your brain and love your life, find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. By Daniel G. Amen, MD Your brain is always listening to Scheming Dragons—advertisers, news feeds, social media sites, and the gadgets in your pockets—that steal your mind and money. We live in a time when Scheming Dragons are on the loose. They are everywhere, deviously sending you messages that feed your inner dragons (the dragons that breathe fire on your emotional brain) and make you fat, depressed, and feebleminded. There are the foot-long hot dogs at the ballpark, the huge meal portions at restaurants, the food pushers who ask us to supersize everything for less money, and the billboards hyping monster foods that will kill you early. In our society, you’re faced every day with Scheming Dragons—advertisers, news feeds, social media sites, and the gadgets in your pockets—that steal your mind and money.
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Scheming Dragons are everywhere, trying to make money off your impulses, even if in the near future, it fuels your inner dragons—such as the Anxious Dragons, Angry Dragons, Hopeless Dragons, Inferior Dragons, Flawed Dragons—or the Bad Habit Dragons. The Scheming Dragons use sophisticated neuroscience to get you hooked on whatever they’re selling. They capitalize on the latest research on habits and addiction to make your brain crave their products and services and to automate their use, so you don’t even think about what you’re doing. In my new book, Your Brain Is Always Listening, I introduce you to 5 of the worst Scheming Dragons.

5 Scheming Dragons That Steal Your Mind

1. Food Pusher Dragons

It’s nearly impossible to avoid Food Pusher Dragons. They are everywhere trying to entice you to eat food that will steal your focus, make you feel sluggish, put you on a mood roller coaster, and trigger your Bad Habit Dragons. Even during the pandemic, when many places were off-limits, the Food Pusher Dragons found new ways to hook you as grocery stores, restaurants, and bakeries promised to deliver the addictive fare you crave. When your brain gives in to the Food Pusher Dragons, it means you’re fueling your brain and body with the ingredients that lead to obesity/diabesity and that feed your inner dragons.

2. Substance and Toxin Pusher Dragons

When you think of drug pushers, you probably think of back-alley dope dealers. But there are many kinds of Substance Pusher Dragons who are selling drugs that can have negative consequences on brain health. For example, physicians are now prescribing legalized marijuana and CBD (cannabidiol, one of the ingredients of the marijuana and hemp plants) oil to treat symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, and aggression even though there’s a scarcity of scientific research on it. Toxin Pusher Dragons are also in your local grocery store and they sell skincare and cosmetics that promise to make you look more attractive and more youthful. When your brain is always listening to the Substance and Toxin Pusher Dragons, it can lead to the misguided belief that a substance or pill alone can solve your health issues, clean your house, or make you look and feel better. These substances and products, whether directly damaging or secretly damaging, can give you brain fog, anxiety, depression, and memory loss, and set you up for addiction.

3. Digital Dragons

Technology companies, video-game developers, app creators, news companies, social networks, entertainment providers, and porn sites—have hijacked our brains, stolen our attention, and hooked us on their gadgets, games, and streaming services. These Digital Dragons are winning the war for your attention by using a laundry list of proven marketing strategies. When your brain is always listening to the distressing News Monger Dragons, for example, it increases anxiety, depression, and stress. In a survey from the American Psychological Association, 56% percent of people said that regularly following the news causes stress. Over time, elevated stress hormones shrink the major memory centers in your brain, increase inflammation, and put excessive fat around your waist.

4. Contact Sports Dragons

Your brain is soft and your skull is hard. Head injuries, even mild ones that occurred decades earlier, are a major cause of depression, addictions, and memory problems. A study from the Mayo Clinic found that one-third of people who played football at any level had lasting brain damage. When your brain is always listening to the Contact Sports Dragons, you believe that playing football and other sports is “not that bad” and that head injuries won’t cause lasting problems. This is a lie. Concussions, even ones that don’t cause you to blackout, can cause depression, anger, anxiety, memory loss, confusion, and more.

5. Holiday Dragons

What could seem more festive and friendly than Holiday Dragons? These beasts promote holiday cheer and family togetherness, but they often end up causing stress, overspending, bad health, excessive drinking, and suicidal thoughts. When your brain is always listening to the Holiday Dragons, you feel pressure to overeat, overspend, and overextend yourself. It can all lead to stress, loneliness, depression, anxiety, weight gain, and trouble in your relationships. In my new book, Your Brain Is Always Listening, I show you how to outfox all of these Scheming Dragons with 5 simple steps. 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 anxiety, depression, trauma, and more, speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.