Drugs are Destroying Your Brain

Yes, partying with drugs and alcohol does have horrible effects on your overall appearance, but have you ever considered how these habits are destroying your brain? If you think one more night of drugs or alcohol leaves you with nothing more than a one day hangover, Awakenings for Women advises you to think again: Studies show drug and alcohol use has severe, sometimes irreversible effects on your brain and your intelligence.

How are the drugs you use destroying your brain?

Drug and alcohol use alters the chemicals in your brain by triggering instant releases of specific neurotransmitters that make you feel good. That good feeling you experience is short lived; however, the damage is forever.

Marijuana: Despite its “innocent” reputation in recent years, studies have determined that marijuana use is linked to decreased cognitive function for processes such as learning, memory, and attention.

Alcohol: alcohol inhibits your cerebral cortex, your cerebellum, your medulla, and your hypothalamus.

Amphetamines: Using amphetamines severely affect cognitive function over time.

Ecstasy: MDMA kills cells that are vital to your brain’s serotonin system in your cerebral cortex. It will also permanently damage axons and nerve cells.

Inhalants: Kill brain cells eventually leading to brain shrinkage.

Antipsychotics: Antipsychotic medications have been linked to brain shrinkage and destroyed brain cells.

Cocaine: cocaine use destroys the pleasure cells in your brain. This means the same things that brought you pleasure in the past will no longer give you the same feelings, due to the declined function of your brain’s pleasure center.

Ketamine: Ketamine is toxic to your brain’s neurons.