| Interesting is that researchers are actually documenting | | | | significantly fewer alpha-2 adrenoceptors and |
| neurochemical effects which says that cigarettes may | | | | significantly less of the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, |
| actually be a drug that smokers are using to treat their | | | | which helps to manufacture the brain chemicals |
| underlying chronic depression. | | | | noradrenaline and dopamine. |
| Cigarette smoking may have effects on the human | | | | These two effects have been reported in animals |
| brain similar to those of antidepressant drugs, possibly | | | | exposed to antidepressant drugs and are also two of |
| explaining the high rate of smoking among depressed | | | | the markers used to identify potential antidepressant |
| people and their resistance to quitting. | | | | medications. |
| Chronic smoking produces 'antidepressant-like' effects | | | | I personally have successfully helped dozens of people |
| on the human brain. This may contribute to the high | | | | go off of their antidepressants with just one or two |
| incidence of smoking and difficulty to quit in those who | | | | sessions of EFT. |
| are depressed. | | | | I am so excited about this approach that I will be |
| Researchers have noted previously that depressed | | | | writing my first book on Depression and EFT, which |
| people are more likely to smoke and are more | | | | should be out next spring. Please read the other article |
| resistant to quitting. However, it was unclear if nicotine | | | | on depression in last issue. |
| or other chemicals taken in during smoking directly | | | | As an aside, many people disagree with my |
| affected the brains of those who were depressed. | | | | recommendation to not stop smoking and to focus on |
| Researchers examined a portion of the brain | | | | sugar and grain restrictions. I believe it is a far more |
| associated with depression known as the locus | | | | important contribution to bad health than cigarettes. |
| coeruleus. The researchers compared a portion of this | | | | Grains break down rapidly to sugar and contribute |
| brain tissue taken after death from seven people who | | | | significantly to weight gain and obesity and definitely |
| had been heavy smokers and nine nonsmokers, all of | | | | need to be restricted. |
| whom had been mentally healthy. | | | | If one tries to stop smoking prior to improving their |
| The investigators found that the brains of long-term | | | | eating plan or being treated for the underlying |
| smokers had neurochemical abnormalities similar to the | | | | emotional issues, it is likely their underlying anxiety or |
| brains of animals treated with antidepressant drugs. | | | | depression will worsen and the act of trying to |
| Specifically, the brains of long-time smokers had | | | | improve one's health will actually worsen it. |