It may seem pretty obvious why someone would be addicted to substances like alcohol or drugs, but how does it work with a “behavioural addiction” i.e. shopping, gambling, self cutting, anger etc? Research has found some amazing facts about behavioural addictions that just might surprise you.
Did you know that some of the latest brain imaging techniques suggests that the brain/body can’t really tell the difference between whether you’re getting “fired up” with booze/cocaine or “fired up” from overdoing it at the casino or shopping mall?
Neuro-chemically you’re still getting a “hit.” The “hit” is usually a big dose of dopamine and serotonin the “feel good” chemicals produced by the emotional part of your brain, the mesolimbic system. So, whether you’re hitting the casino, the bottle, crack pipe or credit card, you will experience a similar neuro-chemical and physiological response with all of them.
For example, those who struggle with compulsive sexual behaviour (aka “sex addiction”), are reported to experience and activate neuro-chemicals such as dopamine, endorphins, androgens, norepinephrine, serotonin, vasopressin and oxytocin. Indeed it is quite a chemical cocktail! Which can also lead to seeking out activities, people and behaviours in a way that you can begin to lose control and experience destructive consequences to your finances, health, relationships, self esteem etc.
Best of health and warmest regards, Paul Radkowski
info@liferecoveryprogram.com
http://www.liferecoveryprogram.com/
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Neuroplasticity- Change Your Thinking & Improve Your Life
Howdy folks, how goes it? Its been awhile since I posted. Some of the LRP clinical team and I have been in conference for almost a third of the month so far. We've spent a number of days with folks specializing in genetics, neurobiology, neurophysiology etc and how certain conditions can lead to addiction, depression, anxiety etc.
One of our keynotes was Dr. Joe Dispenza (from the documentary film "What the Bleep Do We Know"), he was fantastic.
Much research and discussion has been placed on neuroplasticity, how your thoughts change your brain/life.
To change is to think greater than your feelings or condition. Often people become addicted to a feeling (and use substance/behaviour etc to achieve that feeling) which can become a person's emotional identity.
Neurons that fire together wire together (Hebbian Law)as demonstrated in this video which is in real time. It shows how a human brain can change its "neuro-net" thus altering brain chemistry and genetic activation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmvk3zlyQ2w
What does all this mean? With consistent effort you will change the landscape of your brain which changes your body, relationships and reality in a way that empowers you and helps you realize your highest potential.
The key is consistency i.e. daily challenging the destructive thoughts/attitudes/distorted thinking and replacing them with affirmations/supportive thoughts and your brain/body will naturally do the rest (we use a technique called the "TFAB" which powerfully does all this).
To your journey of discovery, Paul Radkowski
info@liferecoveryprogram.com
http://www.liferecoveryprogram.com/
One of our keynotes was Dr. Joe Dispenza (from the documentary film "What the Bleep Do We Know"), he was fantastic.
Much research and discussion has been placed on neuroplasticity, how your thoughts change your brain/life.
To change is to think greater than your feelings or condition. Often people become addicted to a feeling (and use substance/behaviour etc to achieve that feeling) which can become a person's emotional identity.
Neurons that fire together wire together (Hebbian Law)as demonstrated in this video which is in real time. It shows how a human brain can change its "neuro-net" thus altering brain chemistry and genetic activation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmvk3zlyQ2w
What does all this mean? With consistent effort you will change the landscape of your brain which changes your body, relationships and reality in a way that empowers you and helps you realize your highest potential.
The key is consistency i.e. daily challenging the destructive thoughts/attitudes/distorted thinking and replacing them with affirmations/supportive thoughts and your brain/body will naturally do the rest (we use a technique called the "TFAB" which powerfully does all this).
To your journey of discovery, Paul Radkowski
info@liferecoveryprogram.com
http://www.liferecoveryprogram.com/
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