Learned something new.

I was visiting with a medical doctor and learned something that I found to be quite interesting. Thought that you might also.

For some reason, we were discussing alcoholism and how it destroys the people affected with it--the person, family, friends, co-workers... She told me that MUCH research has been done on the matter for many years. Finally, now, doctors have discovered that it all goes back to a chemical in the brain known as Seratonin. Seratonin is known as the "feel good" substance in the brain. As long as the quantity is at a good level, we feel fine. If there is not enough, we become depressed. Too much of it makes as manic. Neither is a good thing.

As it turns out, researchers have found that people who do not have enough of it are prone to discovering that they feel better while they have alcohol in their systems. The reason for that is that the alcohol causes Seratonin to be released from the brain. Unfortunately, when the level of alcohol is reduced, the Seratonin release is also reduced. It is sent through the stomach to the liver and then out of our bodies through the kidneys.

The person then feels depressed and drinks alcohol again so that more Seratonin can be released and make them "feel better again". It is now believed that the bulk of alcoholics are people who do or do not realize that they suffer with depression tendencies.

So, now, research is suggesting that people who think that they might have evidence that shows that they have developed problems with alcoholism, should contact a mental health professional. Wouldn't it be great if by taking simple everyday anti-depressants could help alcoholics conquer their disease???

Just something that I thought you might enjoy knowing about...

VLE-B