I was a smoker for about 10 years, between the ages of 11 and 21. I gave up this vice in 2010, the same year that brought a cascade of positive changes in my life.

Reading books was one of the good habits that I picked up; and one of the influential books that I read early on was Daniel Amen's Change your Brain Change your Life.

Today I'm not really sure about the scientific validity behind Amen's methods, but I guess the thousands of testimonials he's been receiving over the years should somewhat speak of its value.

I read Amen's book in 2013, three years after I had stopped smoking. Dr. Amen considers himself a brain specialist. He uses SPECT scans (Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography) to treat his patients.

A SPECT scan shows the blood flow inside the brain. Based on the readings, Amen has been able to diagnose and treat numerous brain dysfunctions and pathologies.

He started using this technology a couple of decades ago and as you might imagine he has collected numerous SPECT of people with different disorders, genetically inherited pathologies, as well as of people with addictions.

When I reached the part in his book where he starts talking about and showing illustrations of SPECT scans I got hooked. I wanted to know how much damage I incurred on myself throughout all those years of smoking.

Caveat: I also consumed alcohol (more than moderately).

Next, I will illustrate (courtesy of Amen Clinics) some of these SPECT scans and their associated conditions, according to Dr. Amen. If you want to know more about this and about how he treats people, read the book or visit his website.

SPECT Scans

1. Healthy brain

Notice the smoothness and homogeneity. Blood seems to flow continuously.

2. Brain of a nicotine and caffeine abuser

This is a view from bottom-up.
Subject: Age 45
Notes: 27 years of addiction, daily consumption: 3 cups of coffee + 3 packs of cigarettes

3. Brain of a marijuana user

This is a view from bottom-up.
Subject: Age 16
Notes: daily use of marijuana for 2 years

This is a view from bottom-up.
Subject: Age 28
Notes: weekend consumption of marijuana for 10 years

4. Brain of someone who consumes alcohol

And the brain of someone who abuses alcohol

5. Brain of a methadone and heroin user

This is a top view.
Subject: Age 40
Note: used methadone for 7 years and heroin for 10 years

6. Brain of a cocaine user

This is a top view.
Subject: Age 24
Notes: frequent consumption of cocaine for 2 years

7. Before/after pictures of a heavy user of drugs and alcohol

Notes: (above) before picture, while the subject was a user

Notes: (above) the same subject, 1 year after quitting

Conclusion

Discontinuities in brain blood flow (as seen in these scans) are associated with different pathologies (anxiety, depression, physiologic and psychologic impairment, etc), depending on the area of constricted/restricted blood flow.

I think this should be sobering for someone who has been using or abusing addictive substances for prolonged periods of time. It should also be encouraging to see that the brain can recover from such severe perturbations.

Photo credits: Beauty and Healthy and Amen Clinics

#lifestyle #addiction #drugs #brain

---

Cristi Vlad, Self-Experimenter and Author