Moon Draper is as cool as his name...cool things I learned:
*Andrew Wakefield: 1999, said there was a great correlation between all people who had the MMR vaccine and who had Autism. All of his Autistic patients, however, were from an area where most everyone had vaccines.Additionally, Wakefield was hired by a lawyer who wanted to invoke fear about autism, as he had a test for autism he wanted to get out and make $$$$$$ (of course)
*When one is sick, ones body heats up to turn on lymph node cells (sending signal to ramp up the immune system) and these signals are histamines. Anti-histimines fight things that make you better!!!
DIETS:
*keto diet: eat fats, 'adequate' proteins and very low carbs. Ones body runs on glucose and needs glucose to function--brain can use ketones when there is not enough glucose and body will also switch to using ketones/amino acids (proteins). Once those proteins are in place, body will start burning lipids.
*Atkins diet: low fat, high protein, low carbs, no sugar. Starving of sugar, body will use ketones, which drives you to breathe more heavily and increase heart rate because of the increased acidity in the blood from the ketones. All the weight will be gained back in a short amount of time if one eats just a tiny big of sugar (carbs).
**If you cannot consume enough protein, body will use its own proteins.....such as the heart!!
*Dr. Kervorkian partook in 130 deaths by Physician assisted death (legal in 7 states, patient's decision). He said he could not handle the mental instability of the patients, and that argued that they did this all the time with Coma/Hospice patients. He was jailed for 8 years.
*DNR (do not resuscitate) and organ donation is opt in for us, opt out for a lot of European countries.
*Tem Schiabo: in care for her persistive vegetative state from 1990-2001, and could laugh and follow with her eyes. When her tubes were pulled by direction of her husband and she lived for 2 weeks afterwards. Her movement was only reflexive.
*Terry Wallace: born almost the same year, had a car accident and was in a coma; his parents could not afford to have him in hospital care any more. When his feeding tube was pulled his parents cared for him everyday and fed him, and eventualy he started to talk and could walk. His affliction was only at the brain stem
Final Essay I wrote:
Addiction
By Neva Crnković Hahn
Abstract
This paper develops a strong, scientific standpoint on addiction. The controversy the paper focuses on is that of addiction being a result of a character flaw versus it being a physical disease. Many believe addictions are purely a matter of weak willpower, and this paper tries to seek understanding of their viewpoint by giving its four probable reasons. Their misconception is then refuted by scientific research. The brain chemistry behind substance addictions is covered, as well as the brain chemistry behind the behavioral addictions of gambling and the internet— involving the perturbation and imitation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Both viewpoints of the controversy are considered, but this paper argues that science proves all addictions are physical and not a matter of character flaw, and that they all involve addictive brain stimulation and changes.
Addicts have no willpower. Addictions are a result of a weak character, and will never affect those who possess any restraint or proper self-control. Addiction is not a physical disease. Addictions to non-substances like sex, shoplifting, or gambling, are not “real” addictions.
People who struggle with addiction transform into someone else. A loving husband and father one day hits his wife, a serious student does not show up to class, a nurturing mother stops feeding her children properly. The concept of addiction is often used, colloquially, to refer to those who have little ability to restrain themselves. In other words, it is assumed that someone’s flawed character is the main cause of his/her becoming addicted to substances that “normal” people could avoid, or easily stop using. The representation of addiction in the media almost always refers to substance addictions; it is rare to see a film about addictions to non-substances. When the word addiction is mentioned, most minds gravitate towards the notion of substance addiction, and tie it to a character fault or weak will.
The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to broaden the notion of addiction to include addiction to non-substances; secondly, it provides valid scientific research behind the argument that addiction is a real, debilitating disease, and not a character flaw or result of weak will. I believe that this knowledge will help people realize that addiction can show up in numerous ways and can affect anyone, and to be aware of all its forms and physical causes.
The controversy I will focus on is that of addiction being a result of a character flaw versus it being a physical disease. Many think that all or some addictions are related to weak will, whereas I think science proves addiction is a physical disease. I believe the “weak will” misunderstanding persists because of four main reasons. Firstly, addicts take the drugs (or participate in the behavior they are addicted to) themselves; therefore, they are not affected with addiction the way other people get struck with acknowledged diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Tuberculosis, or cancer. Secondly, people understandably wish to distance themselves from harm. Some diseases cannot be avoided, and most people take measures against preventable diseases or conditions. Classifying addiction as a character issue takes power away from it— as long as one has strong willpower and ability of restraint, one can avoid addiction’s debilitating effects. If addiction were classified as a real disease or chronic disorder, it would be considered more “serious” and seen as a threat to everybody.
Thirdly, I believe people resist making a connection between their compulsive behaviors and substance addiction. Even if they unsuccessfully struggle to control this behavior, they do not think it is anywhere near as severe as any drug addiction. For example, I realize I spend a lot of time on my computer, watching or doing things I am not even that interested in, but I don’t want my overuse of the internet to be compared in any way to a substance addiction. And fourthly, I believe that people think that addictions are a result of weak willpower because they just do not know that there is actual science proving the brain chemistry behind it.
Drugs chemically affect the brain. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure imitates that of a natural neurotransmitter and fools the receptors to allow those drugs to attach onto and activate the neurons. This imitation is not perfect, however, and these drugs do not activate neurons in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, and thus lead to the transmission of abnormal messages. Other drugs, such as amphetamine or cocaine, can cause neurons to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters, producing an amplified message. Most drugs of abuse target the brain’s reward system by flooding it with dopamine, and the overstimulation of this system produces euphoric effects, thus reinforcing the behavior of drug use (Science of Addiction).
Our reward circuit is normally activated when the brain is noting life-sustaining activities that need to be remembered and repeated. Drugs that stimulate the same circuit can release between two to ten times the amount of dopamine as natural rewards. With prolonged use, the brain adjusts to the surges in dopamine (along with other neurotransmitters) by either producing less of it or by reducing the number of receptors that can receive signals. Thus, the brain’s own dopamine impact becomes abnormally low, and the person’s ability to experience any pleasure without the aid of a substance gets greatly reduced. Because of this, someone who has been taking these substances for a while needs to keep taking drugs—in increasing amounts—solely to bring their dopamine function back up to normal. Thus begins the “vicious cycle” of addiction (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
Some may argue that, although some substances can indeed be physically addictive, there is no possibility that a behavior can be addictive in the same way. The science discussed above proves that drugs are addictive because they release much more dopamine than the brain’s natural reward system. It would not make sense that any behavioral rewards could be addictive as well, because they do not overflow the system with any of the “unnatural” dopamine gained from substances.
The fact, however, is that certain behaviors produce a reward reinforcement in our brain that makes us want to repeat those behaviors even if they interfere with our lives, exactly like substance addictions. Scientific evidence linking addictive behaviors to substance addiction is very strong for gambling addictions, and is quickly growing for many other behaviors such as sex, shopping, and internet use.
Gambling triggers the brain’s reward system and releases dopamine: the gamblers feel euphoric while they are taking risks, and the thrill of the risk triggers a release of up to ten times the amount of dopamine than natural rewarding experiences would produce (Benson). A person addicted to gambling is in effect addicted to their own heightened production of their own neurotransmitter. Over time, compulsive gamblers start venturing to even riskier pursuits, the brain becomes accustomed to this higher dopamine level, and the vicious cycle of seeking ever increasing stimulation—exactly like substance addiction—begins. Gambling addicts, once they stop, even experience physical withdrawal symptoms. Gambling withdrawal occurs when the brain is deprived of a dopamine stimulating substance, and tries to reconfigure itself to its old state. Studies have shown that pathological gamblers experienced similar levels of the severity of withdrawal symptom as alcohol-dependent participants (Benson).
Another example of a behavioral addiction is internet addiction. Internet use may lead to dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, which is one of the reward structures of the brain specifically involved in other substance addictions. An example of the rewarding nature of digital technology is shown in this statement by a patient in treatment for Internet Addiction Disorder: “I feel technology has brought so much joy into my life. No other activity relaxes me or stimulates me like technology. However, when depression hits, I tend to use technology as a way of retreating and isolating” (Addiction and the Brain: How Drugs Affect the Brain). Internet addiction is becoming an increasing problem, and it can be very debilitating. Technological stimulation becomes necessary for some, and they grow reliant on the internet to produce dopamine—which is very similar to substance addictions.
I believe that scientific evidence proves that both behaviors and substances can be physically addictive. The faster the majority of public learns that addiction is an actual malfunction in brain chemistry, the faster we will get better treatments and more appropriate insurance coverage for it. Most importantly, people with addiction will not be ostracized but will instead be recognized as any other patients in need of medical care, and the public would take all addictions more seriously. Pain treatment will hopefully be even more strictly monitored, as we now know that widely-overprescribed opioids are extremely addictive. Both behaviors and substances affect the brain chemically, and both can be very addictive and debilitating. The scientifically proven changes in the brain should not be spoken about in terms of being a willpower issue. Addiction of all kinds is a grave physical disease that takes over peoples’ lives, and it should be understood and treated accordingly.
Works Cited
“Addiction and the Brain: How Drugs Affect the Brain - Addiction Center.” AddictionCenter, www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-brain/.
Benson, Rick. “The Role of Dopamine in Gambling Withdrawal.” Algamus Gambling Addiction Treatment, www.algamus.org/blog/role-of-dopamine-in-gambling-withdrawal.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.” Drug Abuse, 2008, www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/soa_2014.pdf.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “The Science of Drug Use and Addiction: The Basics.” NIDA, www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-use-addiction-basics.
“Science of Addiction.” Shatterproof, www.shatterproof.org/about-addiction/science-of-addiction.
*Andrew Wakefield: 1999, said there was a great correlation between all people who had the MMR vaccine and who had Autism. All of his Autistic patients, however, were from an area where most everyone had vaccines.Additionally, Wakefield was hired by a lawyer who wanted to invoke fear about autism, as he had a test for autism he wanted to get out and make $$$$$$ (of course)
*When one is sick, ones body heats up to turn on lymph node cells (sending signal to ramp up the immune system) and these signals are histamines. Anti-histimines fight things that make you better!!!
DIETS:
*keto diet: eat fats, 'adequate' proteins and very low carbs. Ones body runs on glucose and needs glucose to function--brain can use ketones when there is not enough glucose and body will also switch to using ketones/amino acids (proteins). Once those proteins are in place, body will start burning lipids.
*Atkins diet: low fat, high protein, low carbs, no sugar. Starving of sugar, body will use ketones, which drives you to breathe more heavily and increase heart rate because of the increased acidity in the blood from the ketones. All the weight will be gained back in a short amount of time if one eats just a tiny big of sugar (carbs).
**If you cannot consume enough protein, body will use its own proteins.....such as the heart!!
*Dr. Kervorkian partook in 130 deaths by Physician assisted death (legal in 7 states, patient's decision). He said he could not handle the mental instability of the patients, and that argued that they did this all the time with Coma/Hospice patients. He was jailed for 8 years.
*DNR (do not resuscitate) and organ donation is opt in for us, opt out for a lot of European countries.
*Tem Schiabo: in care for her persistive vegetative state from 1990-2001, and could laugh and follow with her eyes. When her tubes were pulled by direction of her husband and she lived for 2 weeks afterwards. Her movement was only reflexive.
*Terry Wallace: born almost the same year, had a car accident and was in a coma; his parents could not afford to have him in hospital care any more. When his feeding tube was pulled his parents cared for him everyday and fed him, and eventualy he started to talk and could walk. His affliction was only at the brain stem
Final Essay I wrote:
Addiction
By Neva Crnković Hahn
Abstract
This paper develops a strong, scientific standpoint on addiction. The controversy the paper focuses on is that of addiction being a result of a character flaw versus it being a physical disease. Many believe addictions are purely a matter of weak willpower, and this paper tries to seek understanding of their viewpoint by giving its four probable reasons. Their misconception is then refuted by scientific research. The brain chemistry behind substance addictions is covered, as well as the brain chemistry behind the behavioral addictions of gambling and the internet— involving the perturbation and imitation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Both viewpoints of the controversy are considered, but this paper argues that science proves all addictions are physical and not a matter of character flaw, and that they all involve addictive brain stimulation and changes.
Addicts have no willpower. Addictions are a result of a weak character, and will never affect those who possess any restraint or proper self-control. Addiction is not a physical disease. Addictions to non-substances like sex, shoplifting, or gambling, are not “real” addictions.
People who struggle with addiction transform into someone else. A loving husband and father one day hits his wife, a serious student does not show up to class, a nurturing mother stops feeding her children properly. The concept of addiction is often used, colloquially, to refer to those who have little ability to restrain themselves. In other words, it is assumed that someone’s flawed character is the main cause of his/her becoming addicted to substances that “normal” people could avoid, or easily stop using. The representation of addiction in the media almost always refers to substance addictions; it is rare to see a film about addictions to non-substances. When the word addiction is mentioned, most minds gravitate towards the notion of substance addiction, and tie it to a character fault or weak will.
The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to broaden the notion of addiction to include addiction to non-substances; secondly, it provides valid scientific research behind the argument that addiction is a real, debilitating disease, and not a character flaw or result of weak will. I believe that this knowledge will help people realize that addiction can show up in numerous ways and can affect anyone, and to be aware of all its forms and physical causes.
The controversy I will focus on is that of addiction being a result of a character flaw versus it being a physical disease. Many think that all or some addictions are related to weak will, whereas I think science proves addiction is a physical disease. I believe the “weak will” misunderstanding persists because of four main reasons. Firstly, addicts take the drugs (or participate in the behavior they are addicted to) themselves; therefore, they are not affected with addiction the way other people get struck with acknowledged diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Tuberculosis, or cancer. Secondly, people understandably wish to distance themselves from harm. Some diseases cannot be avoided, and most people take measures against preventable diseases or conditions. Classifying addiction as a character issue takes power away from it— as long as one has strong willpower and ability of restraint, one can avoid addiction’s debilitating effects. If addiction were classified as a real disease or chronic disorder, it would be considered more “serious” and seen as a threat to everybody.
Thirdly, I believe people resist making a connection between their compulsive behaviors and substance addiction. Even if they unsuccessfully struggle to control this behavior, they do not think it is anywhere near as severe as any drug addiction. For example, I realize I spend a lot of time on my computer, watching or doing things I am not even that interested in, but I don’t want my overuse of the internet to be compared in any way to a substance addiction. And fourthly, I believe that people think that addictions are a result of weak willpower because they just do not know that there is actual science proving the brain chemistry behind it.
Drugs chemically affect the brain. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure imitates that of a natural neurotransmitter and fools the receptors to allow those drugs to attach onto and activate the neurons. This imitation is not perfect, however, and these drugs do not activate neurons in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, and thus lead to the transmission of abnormal messages. Other drugs, such as amphetamine or cocaine, can cause neurons to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters, producing an amplified message. Most drugs of abuse target the brain’s reward system by flooding it with dopamine, and the overstimulation of this system produces euphoric effects, thus reinforcing the behavior of drug use (Science of Addiction).
Our reward circuit is normally activated when the brain is noting life-sustaining activities that need to be remembered and repeated. Drugs that stimulate the same circuit can release between two to ten times the amount of dopamine as natural rewards. With prolonged use, the brain adjusts to the surges in dopamine (along with other neurotransmitters) by either producing less of it or by reducing the number of receptors that can receive signals. Thus, the brain’s own dopamine impact becomes abnormally low, and the person’s ability to experience any pleasure without the aid of a substance gets greatly reduced. Because of this, someone who has been taking these substances for a while needs to keep taking drugs—in increasing amounts—solely to bring their dopamine function back up to normal. Thus begins the “vicious cycle” of addiction (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
Some may argue that, although some substances can indeed be physically addictive, there is no possibility that a behavior can be addictive in the same way. The science discussed above proves that drugs are addictive because they release much more dopamine than the brain’s natural reward system. It would not make sense that any behavioral rewards could be addictive as well, because they do not overflow the system with any of the “unnatural” dopamine gained from substances.
The fact, however, is that certain behaviors produce a reward reinforcement in our brain that makes us want to repeat those behaviors even if they interfere with our lives, exactly like substance addictions. Scientific evidence linking addictive behaviors to substance addiction is very strong for gambling addictions, and is quickly growing for many other behaviors such as sex, shopping, and internet use.
Gambling triggers the brain’s reward system and releases dopamine: the gamblers feel euphoric while they are taking risks, and the thrill of the risk triggers a release of up to ten times the amount of dopamine than natural rewarding experiences would produce (Benson). A person addicted to gambling is in effect addicted to their own heightened production of their own neurotransmitter. Over time, compulsive gamblers start venturing to even riskier pursuits, the brain becomes accustomed to this higher dopamine level, and the vicious cycle of seeking ever increasing stimulation—exactly like substance addiction—begins. Gambling addicts, once they stop, even experience physical withdrawal symptoms. Gambling withdrawal occurs when the brain is deprived of a dopamine stimulating substance, and tries to reconfigure itself to its old state. Studies have shown that pathological gamblers experienced similar levels of the severity of withdrawal symptom as alcohol-dependent participants (Benson).
Another example of a behavioral addiction is internet addiction. Internet use may lead to dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, which is one of the reward structures of the brain specifically involved in other substance addictions. An example of the rewarding nature of digital technology is shown in this statement by a patient in treatment for Internet Addiction Disorder: “I feel technology has brought so much joy into my life. No other activity relaxes me or stimulates me like technology. However, when depression hits, I tend to use technology as a way of retreating and isolating” (Addiction and the Brain: How Drugs Affect the Brain). Internet addiction is becoming an increasing problem, and it can be very debilitating. Technological stimulation becomes necessary for some, and they grow reliant on the internet to produce dopamine—which is very similar to substance addictions.
I believe that scientific evidence proves that both behaviors and substances can be physically addictive. The faster the majority of public learns that addiction is an actual malfunction in brain chemistry, the faster we will get better treatments and more appropriate insurance coverage for it. Most importantly, people with addiction will not be ostracized but will instead be recognized as any other patients in need of medical care, and the public would take all addictions more seriously. Pain treatment will hopefully be even more strictly monitored, as we now know that widely-overprescribed opioids are extremely addictive. Both behaviors and substances affect the brain chemically, and both can be very addictive and debilitating. The scientifically proven changes in the brain should not be spoken about in terms of being a willpower issue. Addiction of all kinds is a grave physical disease that takes over peoples’ lives, and it should be understood and treated accordingly.
Works Cited
“Addiction and the Brain: How Drugs Affect the Brain - Addiction Center.” AddictionCenter, www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-brain/.
Benson, Rick. “The Role of Dopamine in Gambling Withdrawal.” Algamus Gambling Addiction Treatment, www.algamus.org/blog/role-of-dopamine-in-gambling-withdrawal.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.” Drug Abuse, 2008, www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/soa_2014.pdf.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “The Science of Drug Use and Addiction: The Basics.” NIDA, www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-use-addiction-basics.
“Science of Addiction.” Shatterproof, www.shatterproof.org/about-addiction/science-of-addiction.