Posts Tagged ‘brain development’
Here’s to Neural Networks!
Neural networks form the basis of our brain and body’s communication system. In other words, they are how neurons in the brain – called brain cells – “talk” to one another and then to and from others throughout the body via the nervous system. Two important pieces in this “talking” process are neurotransmitters and receptors.…
Read MoreWhen Brain Development Views Risk With Reason
When brain development views risk with reason was in the news in 2021 – thanks to Simone Biles. Her withdrawal from the women’s Olympic gymnastics team final to take care of her mental health was met with huge support by some and huge condemnation by others. I find the condemnation reactions absurd. I mean seriously,…
Read MoreUsing Brain Science to Treat Substance Use Disorder
Using brain science to treat substance use disorder (SUD) can be a HUGE help. Why? Because substance use disorder (aka alcoholism, addiction, alcohol or other drug abuse) is now understood to be a brain disorder, sometimes referred to as a brain disease. As Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)…
Read MoreParenting With ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
Parenting with ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) can be devastatingly hard for both the parent and the child. The Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco has launched a new blog for parents who are parenting with ACEs as part of its StressHealth.org initiative. But First – a Bit About ACEs – Adverse Childhood Experiences Background…
Read MoreNational Substance Abuse Prevention Month – Where To Start
“The majority of those who have a substance use disorder started using before age 18 and developed their disorder by age 20,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) > Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide » Introduction. Given this fact, “What does effective substance abuse prevention look like — is…
Read More“What Were You Thinking?” – Understanding the Teen Brain
The teen brain. How many of us have found ourselves absolutely baffled by our teen’s behavior and in frustration, lashed out yelling, “What were you thinking?” or “Why did you do that!,” after another of their “stupid stunts?” How any of us recall our own “stupid stunts” and being asked the same questions, with no better…
Read MoreBrain Development | Mental Illness and Underage Drug | Alcohol Misuse
Brain Development | Mental Illness and Underage Drug | Alcohol Misuse – yes – there is a strong, deeply important connection between these three that must be understood. For this reason, I’m sharing a video by Pathway to Prevention that Cathy Taughinbaugh of TreatmentTalk.org shared on her website recently. The messages it contains are extremely…
Read MoreThe First 3 Years of Life
The first three years of life on a blog about alcohol abuse, mental illness, addiction, secondhand drinking…? You betcha! The tremendous, far-reaching brain research being conducted as a result of the advances in imaging technologies, such as SPECT, fMRI and PET, is providing a better understanding of just how/why the first three years of life…
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