In the Brain
The main control center of your body.
What is the brain?
This is the study of how people think, feel, and behave.
What is psychology?
Addiction is now understood as this type of condition, not a moral failing.
What is a brain disease (or chronic brain disorder)?
This simple daily activity supports circulation, mood, and sleep.
What is walking (or exercise)?
This hormone, known as the "stress hormone," rises when you're under pressure or threat.
What is cortisol?
This 'feel-good' chemical is released during pleasure, motivation, and reward.
What is dopamine?
A process of learning in which an organism acquires new behaviors or modifies existing ones through associations between stimuli and responses
This uncomfortable period occurs when the body adjusts to not having a substance to which it has been habituated.
What is withdrawal?
Exercise releases these neurotransmitters, they are known as "natural painkillers" or "feel-good chemicals".
What are endorphins?
This practice combines focused attention and breathing to reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
What is meditation (or mindfulness)?
When we learn something new, the connections between these brain cells grow stronger.
What are neurons?
The automatic "fight, flight, or freeze" response is triggered by this system.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
The brains reward systems becomes less sensitive over time, leading to this process.
What is tolerance?
Chronic lack of this can impair memory, mood, and immune function.
What is sleep?
Short bursts of stress can be helpful - this type of stress motivates us to act and grow.
What is eustress (or positive stress)?
The brains' reward center is located in this system, which also handles emotions and memories.
What is the limbic system?
This form of therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns.
What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Long-term substance use can weaken this skill, making it harder to plan, focus, or resist impulses.
What is executive functioning?
Deep breathing activates this part of the nervous systems which calms the body.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
Over time, chronic stress weakens this key body system that protects against illness.
What is the immune system?
Chronic stress can cause this part of the brain, involved in memory, to shrink over time.
What is the hippocampus?
This psychological term describes when a person attributes success to internal factors such as hard work, and failure to external factors such as luck.
What is the self-serving bias?
The process of forming new healthy habits to replace old habits is called this.
What is behavioral replacement or habit restructuring?
This type of fat is commonly found in fish, and is an important ingredient for growing new neurons.
What are omega-3 fatty acids or mono-unsaturated fats?
This part of the brain, involved in emotional regulation, grows stronger through practices like meditation and gratitude.
What is the prefrontal cortex?