Most of us have some idea that certain unhealthy behavior such as abusing drugs or alcohol may harm our brain. However, the full understanding of what this may really mean is far less well known. Since the brain is not a part of our body we can actually see, as long as it performs the basic functions essential to getting us through our daily routine, it is easy to overlook the consequences of unhealthy behavior.

It is also true that while unhealthy behavior may negatively impact your brain, there can be underlying physiological issues with the brain itself, which in turn can cause unhealthy behavior. A natural chemical imbalance in the brain, for example, may cause low serotonin levels. Serotonin is a brain chemical or neurotransmitter which governs sleep, appetite, and mood. It is derived from the amino acid, tryptophan. When someone has an imbalance between serotonin and other hormones, such as cortisol, they often suffer from depression, poor sleep, and increased appetite. They may subconsciously seek to correct this imbalance with unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, or violent/aggressive behaviors which have further negative impact upon the brain.

For years, it has been a common practice among medical doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists to rely on powerful drugs to treat such issues as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Disorder. This would be done without ever looking at the brain itself or considering whether some underlying physiology of the brain, nutritional factors, or some forgotten brain injury might have a bearing. In many cases, sufficient trauma to the brain to affect or cause unhealthy behavior can result from injury so minor, the person has either forgotten, or never would have recognized it as an injury.

One of the greatest pioneers in Brain Research to examine the role played by the physiology of the brain and how this may relate to unhealthy behavior is Dr. Daniel Amen. Dr. Amen M.D. founder and CEO of Amen Clinics in Newport Beach and Fairfield, California, Tacoma, Washington and Reston, Virginia, is a child and adult psychiatrist, brain imaging specialist, and Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Amen uses state of the art SPECT brain scan imagery to examine the actual physiology of the brain of each patient, which is invaluable in accurate diagnoses and treatment. Amen Clinics Inc. has the largest database of functional brain scans in the entire world, totaling more than 34,000 scans related to psychiatric medicine, and involves patients from more than 51 countries. In addition to careful use of medical treatments where needed, Dr. Amen is a strong advocate of diet and nutrition, natural health alternatives, exercise, and developing healthy thought patterns as key components of optimum brain health. He is the author of 22 books as well as a number of audio and video programs, and his book Change Your Brain, Change Your life which has been on the New York Times bestseller list and is translated into 13 languages. He is also the author of Healing ADD, Healing the Hardware of the Soul, Making a Good Brain Great, and co-author of Healing Anxiety and Depression and Preventing Alzheimer's.

Dr. Amen offers an extensive website where you can view 3D rotating brain images, and compare a normal healthy brain with brains showing the effects of alcohol abuse, smoking, drug abuse, and even the brain of a 15 year old mass murderer. Dr. Amen's books as well as other extensive resources are available on his site as well. To learn more,Click Here.

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