Comments on: addiction, genetics and early brain development

By: Dante

Dante — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:07:40 +0000

Addiction is definitely a problem with the brain but they are also looking into the rest of the body's reaction to whatever it is they are addicted to for answers as well. Dante's last blog post..Learned

By: John D

John D — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:24:14 +0000

isabella – Thanks for these stimulating posts on addiction and adult children. I agree with the concept of the family environment having a big impact on whether inherited tendencies will actually emerge as disorders. The study on adult children sounds excellent in getting at the complexity of the relationship of individual and family. Mate’s view captures the intense and unbalanced reactions to brain chemistry of people who become addicts. Thanks for introducing me to these interesting studies – I need to go read them!

By: isabella mori

isabella mori — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:33:25 +0000

i think i’d see it similarly.

except i would be hesitant to use the word “determines”. it looks to me that nothing in the human experience is ever determined – but there are certain tendencies that increase or decrease the likelihood of something happening.

By: C-P

C-P — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:13:05 +0000

Gotcha. Thanks, I hear what you are saying. The way I see it - Genetics gives you a predisposition that means you are more likely to/or be more at risk to going down the addiction route. Your environment then shapes you in determining whether you actually do. C-P's last blog post..Drug Addiction & Alcoholism Help & Recovery Guidance

By: isabella mori

isabella mori — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:56:22 +0000

hi C-P – i think the crucial sentence here is that the brain is “exquisitely fine-tuned and changed by the environment.”

elsewhere in the book, mate explains the role of environment and genetics with the example of a seed. for sure, the seed brings a certain structure but whether it lives or dies and how it thrives all depend on the environment (soil, water, light, temperature, etc.).

the brain’s environment in the womb is the mother’s nutrition and her complex hormonal responses to HER experience and environment.

for example, if a pregnant woman is beaten by an alcoholic partner, her body’s chemical responses (e.g. highly increased adrenalin) will influence the unborn child.

By: C-P

C-P — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:24:50 +0000

Interesting Post. Unless I’m misunderstanding this – surely if a large part of this brain development occurs in the womb, wouldn’t that indicate the role of genetics?

C-P’s last blog post..Drug Addiction & Alcoholism Help & Recovery Guidance

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:33:12 +0000

Very interesting read. Addiction is a very serious matter. There is alot o research to be made still. But i am hopefull that some day these problems will be dealt with easier. Lauren's last blog post..Find Great Blogs

By: Jim Signs

Jim Signs — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:49:56 +0000

Great Blog I agree with the comment “childhood brain development has the greatest impact on addiction is not to rule out genetic factors. however, the emphasis placed on genetic influences in addiction medicine … is an impediment to our understanding. ”

Thanks for sharing
Jim Signs

By: Maddy

Maddy — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:25:44 +0000

Always food for thought here, one way or another. Cheers Maddy's last blog post..Double Trouble