These receptors work in conjunction with the amount of serotonin around and are just as important in the regulation of mood as serotonin itself see our MDMA Slide Show for details. In trying to maintain a balanced mood, these receptors respond to the amount of serotonin around by turning themselves on and off up-regulation and down-regulation. When they are flooded with serotonin as a result of taking MDMA, many of them down-regulate.
The majority of these receptors will up-regulate again as soon as the excess serotonin is metabolized away. However, some of these receptors may stay down-regulated longer, perhaps days, weeks, or even months. The depression some people feel after taking MDMA may be a result of these serotonin receptors staying down-regulated too long.
Whether, how much, or how often this happens may largely be a genetic factor unique to the individual. Some people may simply be genetically pre-disposed towards MDMA-related depression. Depression is a common illness that often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This is particularly true for teenagers and young adults who suffer from mild to moderate depression.
It is likely that many compulsive MDMA users are unconsciously trying to self-medicate their depression. Of course, MDMA is not an effective daily antidepressant and may actually exacerbate symptoms of depression. There are biochemical reasons explained above why frequent MDMA use increases the likelihood of depression. Eat well. Your body produces serotonin by combining together various amino acids found in proteins.
Maintaining a well balanced diet that includes enough complete proteins and the proper vitamins and minerals will help you stay healthy and rebound more easily from serotonin depletion. The cerebellum assists with muscle control and coordination, which is why people who have had too many drinks may stumble and weave when they walk.
Excessive drinking also shrinks the grey and white matter of the cortex, slowing cell growth and development. The dura, the protective layers over the brain, also shrinks due to dehydration. Fortunately, abstaining from alcohol for one week has shown improvement in the volume of grey matter cells. However, the white matter and other areas of the brain continue recovering months after the last drink.
Once in recovery, the blood flow may take months to return to normal or near-normal levels. For those who use cocaine, the frontal lobe still shows signs of recovery 4 to 6 months after the last use. Though addiction can display itself in many different ways, from physical changes to behavioral responses, brain imaging and scans can also find signs of addiction in the brain itself. Researchers who study how addiction changes the brain have found clear markers of addiction within brain chemistry and structure.
Using technology like magnetic resonance imaging MRI and positron emission tomography PET scans, medical professionals can see inside the inner workings of the brain, both with an addictive state and without. These scans show us that several different regions and pathways within the brain are affected by addiction.
Luckily, brain scans are not only used to detect abnormalities related to addiction. Researchers, doctors, and addiction treatment professionals can use brain scanning technology to identify areas of the brain that have been altered by addiction.
From there, they can develop more customized treatment plans that directly support these affected areas of the brain. In this way, while brain scans can show us the damage caused by addiction, they can also point us towards possible proactive solutions to help individuals recover and find effective treatments for ongoing addictive behaviors. The brain is a remarkable organ, capable of incredible breakthroughs and life-changing ideas and actions.
Yet because of its delicate structure and chemistry, the brain is also highly vulnerable to addiction. A study published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that incorporating mindfulness and meditation into addiction treatment could lessen the risk of relapse. The study also indicates that brain pathways that can trigger relapse may be retrained by mindfulness practice.
Another study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that individuals who chronically used methamphetamines had lower numbers of dopamine proteins than individuals who did not use the drug. These findings suggest that the brain can begin to heal itself in the aftermath of drug use. Additional research has also begun to uncover the structural changes that take place in the brain during addiction, which can help scientists and medical professionals to devise new treatment methods.
One study published in the journal Alcoholism found that individuals who relapsed had less development in the brain reward system, an area of the brain that governs pleasure and reward responses, than individuals who did not relapse.
Many reputable treatment programs use cognitive behavioral therapy CBT and other forms of therapy to help individuals learn how to create alternate routines and patterns of thinking that help the brain adjust.
These may include avoiding people, places, and situations associated with addictive behaviors, as well as finding new ways to manage disruptive or difficult emotions or life circumstances. Less than a century ago, scientists thought the mature brain stopped developing new cells; we now know the brain continues to create new cells and neural pathways.
However, addiction recovery takes time, discipline, support, and patience. Before the brain can begin healing, the body must be clean of any residual substance. Detox can take several days to several weeks, depending on the substance and how long an individual has struggled with addiction. There is evidence that increasing serotonin might affect mood or stress.
However, the brain is complicated, and research is still ongoing. Many brain networks involve serotonin, and it is challenging to increase serotonin in one specific network alone.
Increasing serotonin can have unintended consequences. In some cases, consistently increasing serotonin over long periods can lead to serotonin syndrome. This condition is usually the result of the long-term use of certain medications, such as antidepressants or migraine drugs.
Researchers are working to understand more about serotonin syndrome. It is unclear whether the symptoms can occur in people who increase their serotonin levels without medication. In general, people without serotonin deficits do not need to increase their serotonin levels.
The body is excellent at regulating itself and works best in a state of balance. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that is common in the brain. Many brain networks involve serotonin, including those that play a role in the regulation of stress and anxiety.
Some people have serotonin deficits that may contribute to mental health issues, such as depression. Antidepressant medications can increase serotonin levels and help with symptoms. Learn about the causes and symptoms of serotonin deficiency here. We also discuss how to raise serotonin levels and how doctors test and diagnose low…. Dopamine and serotonin, or the 'happy hormones,' play key roles in mood, depression, and appetite, among other things.
Learn about similarities…. Serotonin syndrome occurs when a person takes one or more drugs that cause a buildup of serotonin in the body. Find out the causes, symptoms, and…. There is a growing body of research suggesting that exercise could help treat depression.
In this article, learn about the possible effects and what…. In a new study, universally screening students for depression meant that more students were initially identified and started treatment. What is serotonin? Increasing serotonin levels Risks Summary Serotonin is a chemical messenger that affects many functions within the body and brain. Share on Pinterest Increasing serotonin levels, such as through exposure to light, may help mitigate the risk of depression or reduce symptoms in people experiencing this condition.
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