Drug and alcohol addiction is one of the major social problems in today’s society˳ Not only does it ruin one’s life, but their families are also afflicted due to this reason˳ Longer the addiction lasts, lesser the possibility of the addicted person to recover from their addiction˳ According to numerous researches, addiction to drugs and other substances may cause damage to the brain system˳ The study, published online in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that a greater percentage of drug addicts or the smokers, who have been trained IBMT (Integrative Body-Mind Training) have reduced taking drugs˳ Whereas, the subjects in a control group that have been subjected with a relaxation regimen have showed no impact at all˳
Initial test started with one set of volunteers, who were subjected with IBMT meditation; and the other set of volunteers were subjected with other relaxation regimen˳ Obviously, the persons who underwent IBMT showed improvement in the self-control pathway to addiction˳ However, these studies could be done only with the acceptance and consent of the patients˳ Sheer support from the family and loved ones are also required˳ IBMT includes the treatment program such as whole body relaxation, mental imagery and mindfulness training˳ These procedures were led by experienced professionals˳ In fact, IBMT was adapted from traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced by thousands of people˳ It has been under study to understand its potential impacts on a variety of stresses and related changes in the brain; including its function and its structure˳ IBMT meditation promotes personal control and also helpful for coping with stressful situations˳
Before and after the experiments, all the participants were tested for carbon monoxide levels˳ And many of the participants found that they had reduced smoking after an objective test using measured exhaled carbon monoxide˳ The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during rest to understand the brain areas involved˳ The fMRI result shows that the addicts before entering IBMT had reduced activity in their anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and other areas˳ This would lead to impaired self-control˳ After two weeks of IBMT, these addicts had significantly increased activity in their ACC, medial PFC and inferior frontal gyrus/ventrolateral PFC˳ While persons in the non-IBMT control group did not show any significant changes˳ This shows that IBMT meditation has enhanced self-control and has reduced stress˳ Hence this practice is useful for those who have no intention to quit smoking; also for treating individuals with other addictions˳
It does not involve forcing the individuals to quit the intake of drugs or smoking˳ Instead, it helps to improve self-control capacity to handle craving and smoking behavior˳ This research has helped us in finding out just how the brain works and may lead to addiction treatments that improve health of the people˳ It offers help and hope to individuals and their family members, who have been affected by these drug addictions˳ Ultimately, all the addicts will be led to begin an exciting journey to a new life˳
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