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TIPS For Families |
Written by: Janet Hanna The Biology of the Brain The brain consists of billions of nerve cells
organized by region and function. Those cells communicate with one another
through chemicals called neurotransmitters. New research suggests that pathological
gamblers have changes in the levels of neurotransmitter activity in parts
of their brains. It is not clear that these changes cause gambling they
could also be the effects of gambling but further exploration of such changes
could lead to new treatments. Changes in the concentrations of some neurotransmitters
are associated with such psychiatric illnesses as depression, anxiety, and
obsessive-compulsive disorder. In terms of pathological gambling, researchers
are not yet certain which neurotransmitter changes may provide more understanding
of and better treatments for the disorder. However, there are neurotransmitters,
especially those listed below, that are good candidates for more study. Serotonin
appears to help people control their impulses and need for excitement. A
reduced concentration of serotonin in the brain is associated with a decrease
in the ability to control impulses. That may lead people into risky behaviors,
including gambling. Medications that raise serotonin levels, such as Prozac
and Zoloft, are effective treatments for depression. They sometimes also
help gamblers exercise more self-control. Dopamine
affects the way the brain experiences feelings of pleasure. If doing something
makes a person feel very good, the person usually wants to do that activity
again and again. Dopamine dysfunction appears to make people vulnerable to
addictive behaviors. Endorphins,
chemicals the body makes, have the same effects on the brain that morphine
and heroin do. Endorphins create a feeling of well-being and relieve pain.
Several activities produce endorphins, including meditation and aerobic exercise.
That is the usual explanation for the runners high. Exciting and risky
activities, such as bungee jumping, also produce endorphins. Endorphin production
in the brains of gamblers may be one cause of their addiction. Medicines
that block the euphoria endorphins cause have been helpful to some gamblers. Norepinephrine, or noradrenalin, affects energy, concentration, alertness, and sensation
seeking. Gamblers have been found to have increased levels of norepinephrine
during gambling, and those levels stay elevated for extended periods even
after the gambler stops for the day. These findings suggest that people with
gambling problems may experience heightened levels of arousal while gambling,
which may lead them to want more. What Do These Findings Mean? Learning about the brain biology of pathological
gamblers gives researchers a way of understanding why gamblers have such a
hard time stopping. Perhaps the excitement and risk involved in gambling
produce chemical changes that result in addiction. If that is true, good
intentions and willpower may not be enough. It is reasonable to hope that
in the future, the benefits of psychosocial treatment of pathological gambling
group therapy, Gamblers Anonymous, individual counseling, and family intervention
may be enhanced more often with medication. If you wish to leave feedback about this
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