This complex slide shows the brain systems involved in addiction and mental illness — along with the neurotransmitters or chemicals that carry the messages which result in the behaviors we define as addictive or inappropriate. In the pages that follow, we will focus in on each quadrant of this slide to present WHY we do the things we do.
At the center of the slide is the brain and the two primary brain systems involved — the NEOCORTEX and the LIMBIC SYSTEM.
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The first brain state — shown in the upper right hand quadrant of the slide — is AROUSAL. The drugs which cause arousal states are:
- COCAINE
- AMPHETAMINES
- DIET PILLS
- MDMA (also known as Ecstasy)
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The psychiatric condition that mimics these drugs is MANIA, the manic phase of a manic depressive or bipolar disorder.
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The neurotransmitters that mediate this state are ADRENALIN and DOPAMINE.
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The triggers that stimulate these neurotransmitters into action and cause mania are:
- GAMBLING
- SEX (Power)
- SPORTS
- CRISES
- SHOPLIFTING
- WORK
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In the lower right quadrant of the slide is the state of FANTASY and the neurotransmitters involved:
- DOPAMINE
- PEA (Phenylethylamine)
- SERATONIN
- NOREPINEPHRINE
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Fantasy is caused by three drugs:
- THC (Marijuana)
- LSD
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
Note that Ecstasy has both stimulant (Arousal) and hallucinogenic (Fantasy) properties
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The mental conditions that mimic fantasy are:
- SCHIZOPRENIA
- OTHER PSYCHOSES
In this mental state, you lose touch with reality.
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The triggers that stimulate the neurotransmitters
that cause fantasy are:
- SEX
- INFATUATION
- MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE
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In the lower left corner of the slide is the state of SATIATION and the neurotransmitters involved:
- GABA (Gamma amino butyric acid)
- ENDORPHINS
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The drugs that cause SATIATION are:
- FOOD
- ALCOHOL
- SEDATIVES
- PAIN PILLS
- OPIATES
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These "downer" drugs cause the mental conditions of:
- APATHY
- ANHEDONIA (the inability to experience
pleasure)
- DEPRESSION
… the exact opposite of mania
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The triggers that stimulate the neurotransmitters and cause satiation are:
- SEX (Security)
- RELATIONSHIPS
- SHOPPING
- TV
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In the upper left corner of the slide is the state of SUPER REALITY. We don’t know what the neurotransmitters of this mental state are…
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The three triggers that cause it are:
- SKY DIVING
- ROCK CLIMBING
- FLYING (Pilot)
This is the only quadrant in which sex does not appear.
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So sex can be an arousal mechanism today…a fantasy mechanism tonight…and it can cause depression tomorrow…and they’re interchangeable. You can see how complicated sex can be.
Remember everything associated with drug and alcohol use are indelibly etched in the amygdala section of the brain…so, depending on which drug is used, sex leads to arousal, fantasy or satiation-driven feelings and behaviors…and they’re interchangeable. Sex is truly complicated. It’s no wonder it’s part of such a powerful factor in relapse.
