Refined sugar, alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, LSD, and other commonly used substances are neurotoxic; that is, they damage the brain or impair its functioning. Researchers from the New York University School of Medicine, using Brain Electrical Activity Map technology, have found that people who crave sugar, junk food, drugs, etc., do so because they are trying to correct an existing brain imbalance. It is a form of self-medication. For example, people with depression have damage to the frontal lobe of their brain, which shows up as reduced electrical brain activity during scans. When these individuals take sugar or drugs, their brain map temporarily becomes normalized. Unfortunately, with repeated use, the abnormalities worsen.
Modern society is suffering an epidemic of abnormal brain functioning, and there are many contributing causes - lead poisoning, asbestos, high-fat diets, fluorescent lights, drugs, nutrient-depleted foods, and so on. A recent study from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) revealed that 50% of the U.S. population has significant Axis I disorders or brain chemical imbalances. Possible symptoms of this condition include anxiety, depression, insomnia, and somatization disorder. Ninety percent of the population fit psychiatric diagnostic classifications that are, in many ways, precursors to severe brain chemical imbalances.
Some adventurous doctors are going beyond accepted medical procedures in order to treat these ubiquitous brain dysfunctions. They use "smart" drugs, such as eldepryl, tyrosine, anti-depressants, DHEA, as well as nutrients and herbs such as ginkgo biloba, antioxidants, amino acid supplements, high doses of vitamin E, etc. In addition, cranial electrical stimulation is applied to further normalize brain function.
Research has indicated that sweets and junk food are the gateway to alcohol, and alcohol is the gateway to drugs. Unfortunately, many of today's youth do not understand that drugs are harmful, evidenced by the fact that the use of drugs continues to rise in this age bracket. However, the Brain Electrical Activity Map can be used as an educational tool to show teens pictures of the brain's activity, so they can see for themselves the abnormalities that arise from a poor diet and drugs.
Based on information in: Townsend Newsletter for Doctors, November 96; From Spectrum #52, January/February 1997, page 17 (For 1 year subscription, send $20.00 [outside U.S.A.-$28.00] to Spectrum, 2702-D Camellia Drive, Durham, NC 27705)
Holistic Medicine and Natural Health
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