Transcript Learning, the Brain, and Addiction

Learning, the Brain, and
Addiction
February 2014
Gail Schauer, Assistant Director
ND Department of Public Instruction
Dept. of Public Instruction
Safe and Healthy Schools
All students achieve their maximum
education and social potential
in a healthy and safe
school and community environment.
Studying the Brain
• Studying Behavior
• Dissection of the Brain
• Study of Bumps on the Skull
Phrenology
Learning About the Brain
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EEG
Functional MRI
PETS Scans
CAT Scans
Neurons – Where Learning Begins
Axon
Terminals
Dendrites
Cell Body
Myelin Sheath
Nucleus
The Developing Brain
The brain undergoes
major changes from
birth to adulthood.
At what age are brains fully developed?
The Developing Brain
Development of the Brain
• What part of the brain develops last?
Frontal Lobe
Controls
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Judgment
Reasoning
Organization
Planning
Strategizing
Decision
Making
Our Brain’s Reward System
Our Brain’s Reward System
Alcohol & Drugs
Destructive Behaviors - Alcohol
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Addiction
Poor Judgment and Coordination
Encourages risky sexual behavior
Increased chance of driving drunk and having a car crash
Alcohol/drug poisoning
Sleep disruptions
Failing grades
Arguing with family & friends
Extra costs in medical and/or work loss
Legal problems
Hallucinations
Psychotic episodes
Changes in ability to concentrate
Emotional Issues
Destructive Behaviors - Alcohol
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Injuries
Overdose
Vomiting
Choking injuries
Liver damage
Kidney damage
Brain damage
Psychoses
ADHD
Learning Disabilities
Having babies w/ fetal alcohol syndrome
Sexually transmitted infections
HIV/AIDS
Less achievement in ports and performing arts
Lower change of college admission
Less Brain Activity
even when sober
Non-Drinker
vs.
Drinker
Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center
OJJDP Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, January 2013
Memories
10% Smaller in those that abused alcohol at ages 14-21.
Implications for learning and academic performance.
OJJDP – Effects and Consequences of Underage Drinking,
September 2012
Cognitive Deficiencies
Alcohol has toxic effects
on the myelination
process in adolescents.
Myelination helps
stabilize and speed brain
processes.
Disruption can lead to
cognitive deficiencies.
OJJDP – Effects and Consequences of Underage Drinking,
September 2012
Destructive Behaviors - Marijuana
Is Marijuana addicting?
Experts don’t
agree, but . . .
Marijuana is NOT a benign drug
• Few physical symptoms
• VERY psychologically addictive
• More 15-17 year olds are in treatment for
marijuana dependence than all other drugs
• 3 out of 4 teenagers in treatment have a
primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence.
Destructive Behaviors - Marijuana
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Madeline Meier -Duke University - Durham, NC
Followed 1000 people in New Zealand
Birth until age 38
Started smoking marijuana before age 18
dropped significant IQ points
Addiction without the drug?
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Problem or Pathological Gambling
Overeating
Self-Injury (Anorexia & Bulimia Nervosa)
“Pass Out” Game
Over-exercise
Sexual Addiction
Addictive Foods
“ We are finding tremendous overlap
between drugs in the brain and food in the
brain.”
- Nora Volkow, Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse
4 Most Addictive Foods
Processed Sugars
Chocolate
Cheese
Meat
ND HS Classroom of 25
(YRBS 2013)
 5 smoked cigarettes
 4 smoked marijuana
 4 were offered, sold, or given illegal drug - osp
 5 binge drink
 10 believe in their community teenage drinking is ok
www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/data.htm
Keeping Our Brains Healthy ! ! !
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Exercise
Eat Right
Stay Hydrated – Drink Water
Sleep
Work on Analytical Skills
Find Natural Highs
Helping Our Teens
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Stay educated
Provide healthy choices
Foster a positive environment
Teach emotional and social skills
Stay connected
Monitor their activities
Model natural highs
Parents
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Talk & listen
Have family dinners
Spend time together/stay involved
NEVER provide alcohol
Lock up alcohol in the home
Drink responsible, set a good model
Look for signs/symptoms of abuse
Schools
• Coordinated School Health Program
• School Health Advisory Council
• Comprehensive Physical Activity
Program
• School Connectedness
• Social – Emotional Learning
Resources
• Safe & Healthy Schools (DPI)
www.dpi.state.nd.us/health/index.shtm
• PARENTS LEAD (listen educate ask discuss)
www.parentslead.org/
• CDC Adolescent and School Health
www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/
www.dpi.state.nd.us/health/index.shtm
Topics Include:
Alcohol Prevention
Brain Research
Drug Prevention
Health and Academic
YRBS
PLUS MANY MORE TOPICS
Resources
• Teen Safe (CeASAR Children’s Hospital Boston)
www.teen-safe.org
• The Adolescent Brain – Why Teenagers Think and
Act Differently
www.edinformatics.com/news/teenage_brains.htm
• Effects and Consequences of Underage Drinking
www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/237145.pdf
Resources
• Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers
http://chccoalition.org/developing_teen_brain
• Teenage Cannabis Use Leads to Cognitive Decline
www.newscientist.com/
• Breaking the Food Seduction by Neal Barnard, MD
• A Better High by Matt Bellace, Ph.D.
For More Information
Gail Schauer, Assistant Director
Safe and Healthy Schools
Dept of Public Instruction
(701) 328-2265
[email protected]