Addiction Solution Source

Psychiatrist, Dr. Daniel G. Amen, is a pioneer in scans called brain SPECT imaging. SPECT stands for single photon emission computed tomography and measures blood flow and activity patterns in the brain.

It basically tells three things: areas of the brain that work well, areas of the brain that work too hard and areas of the brain that do not work hard enough.

In studies of patients who had smoked marijuana, Dr. Amen found significant changes in brain activity, especially those who were heavy users. Decreased brain activity was found in the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes.

The prefrontal cortex, at the front tip of the brain, is your supervisor, the part of the brain that helps you stay focused, make plans, control impulses, and make good (or bad) decisions. When this part of the brain is underactive, people have problems supervising themselves and also have significant problems with attention span, focus, organization, and follow-through.

Abnormal activity in the temporal lobes (located underneath the temples), is associated with problems in memory, learning, and motivation. Amotivational syndrome, marked by apathy, poor attention span, lethargy, social withdrawal, and loss of interest in achievement has been attributed to marijuana abuse for many years.

Dr. Amen has thousands of brain scans that show the difference between normal and those who are substance abusers. If you use street drugs and you see a visual picture of how your brain is being affected, maybe it will change your habit.
Click on the following link for the Amen Clinic to compare normal to alcohol and drug abuse brain scans:

www.amenclinic.com/bp/spect_rotations/