I will only mention in this post addictive behaviours to chemical substances and not those involving customs. Addictions are cases of obsession and compulsion to use substances that produce apparent pleasure and tranquility. Their continued use promote brain changes as tolerance, physical dependence, uncontrollable desire, and if their comsumption is stopped, characteristic symptoms of withdrawal come out.
The most common addictive substances are alcohol, nicotine, benzodiazepines, opioids and stimulants. The body becomes addicted to the neurological changes that substances produce. Characteristic behaviorial changes are also present.
Apparently the diverse addictions have similar physiological mechanisms. They act over substances involved in communication between different parts of the brain that released in specific brain sites produce pleasure, or wellness, or over other that are involved in biological cycles regulation. These substances are neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, GABA) and hormones (melatonin).
Addictive substances alter hormones and neurotrasmitters production levels and physiological thresholds sensitivity of receptors to these compounds and cause damage to some tissues exposed (eg. Lung tissue or liver cells).
Both genetics and environment have a direct influence. Researchers have discovered genes directly involved in the mentioned processes and when there are gene deviations or alterations, the possibility of being addicted is higher. Exposure to environmental factors determines the possibility of addiction, stress and exposure to drugs at an early age and access to substance abuse risk factors are preponderant.
There are several plants that have been used successfully in reducing consumption of chemicals and reducing withdrawal symptoms. I will mention the most known and that have been scientifically tested.
Korean Angelica (Angelica gigas), apparently the essential oil of this plant has successfully modulate the release of dopamine in certain areas of the brain.
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) modulates several neurochemical pathways. This explains its activity in depression, abstinence from alcohol and not smoking. The hyperacine and hyperforine appear to be the most active compounds. Depression and alcoholism have some neurochemical similarities, such as low activity of serotonin in the brain.
St. John's wort extract compared with other antidepressants, and there are differences. Has been shown that hypericine stimulates dopamine extracellular levels, also norepinephrine and serotonin as well as glutamate levels, aminoacid responsible for the reactions to panic and stress brain site. It has been evaluated for quitting smoke because of the link between smoking and depression. Primary successes have been achieved.
Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) a shrub of equatorial Africa, is used to treat addiction to stimulants. It contains an alkaloid, iboganina, which has shown positive effects on the consumption of nicotine, alcohol, morphine and cocaine in animal trials . Apparently iboganina and some of its derivatives are promising agents for addiction treatment.
Kava (Piper methysticum) binds to brain sites associated with addiction and compulsive desire to alcohol, smoking, cocaine and heroin. It has been reported a decline in the desire of those substances consumption. Kavapironas supplementation decreased the effects of abstinence.
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) has succeeded in reducing alcohol consumption and the symptoms outcoming. The most important active ingredients are isoflavones puerarin, daizina and daidzeina. This plant also has anxiolytic effects in several ways and act accordingly. In China its use is widespread both alone and with other natural medicines.
Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) and other plants like marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) comprise the so-called herbal cigarettes. Lobeline physiologically tends to replace the nicotine, so the body reduces the dependence feeling.
Nescafe (Mucuna pruriens) has significant levels of levodopa (L-dopa), the dopamine precursor, making it possible to increase levels of neurotrasmitters associated with abstinence.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) contains a chemical fraction, the benzoflavona that appears to be responsible for most plant medicinal activity. It has achieved success in reversing tolerance and dependence to psychotropic drugs such as morphine, nicotine and alcohol in animals.
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