Breathe in and out… What is Psychoneuroplasticity? Ability for the brain to change, re-wire and heal (86 billion neurons!) Making new neurological patterns to create new behaviors Damaged brains are capable of remarkable growth Synaptic Pruning 12 steps of AA are Neuroplasticity Principles of Neuroplasticity • Principle I- Brain neurons that learn together become attached in bundles. • Principle II- Neurological bundles are changed according to experience and evolved need (Disruption and Dispersion). • Principle III- There is the availability for reformation of neurological networks and transformation. Principles of Neuroplasticity • Principle IV- Learning and re-learning are growth factors. • Principle V- New pathways need to have a positive attitude to make them last. Neuroplasticity and Addiction Addictive Pathways in the Brain Addictive Brain Before Treatment- 26 yr. old TBI/Combat Veteran/ PTSD/opiate user Red= Excess, Green= Normal After 90 days of treatment at ORC Red = Excess, Green= Normal CASES Client X: 56 yr. old male, 30 years of alcoholism with only 4 months of sobriety spread in between. Was brought in through an intervention from family. ASA risk. ANAM results on Client X Exam 1: Cognitive issues seen from client, memory issues, forgetting scheduling. Interventions: Breathing Techniques, Progressive Mental Relaxation, Biofeedback Exam 2 Observations: Client knew schedule and was on time for groups. Still displaying “cloudy logic” and delusional thinking patterns. He found it hard to focus Interventions: Neurotherapy for Focus, Mindful Meditation, Self-Esteem work with positive affirmations Exam 3 Observations- Client was able to verbalize “how bad” of shape his brain was in before, no seen cognitive issues, was able to process feelings and emotions appropriately. Slower in his reaction times. Interventions- Continued Mindful Meditation, Sensory Deprivation Chamber, and Neurotherapy for negative cognitions. Client stayed for 60 days. PNP Interventions- How can we re- wire the brain? Stress/Emotional Regulation- We first must learn to calm and control emotions by incorporating coping skills before we can build new positive brain tracks. Breathing techniques Biofeedback Meditation Relaxation Training Imagery- Safe Place and Spiritual Ally BAUD (Bio-Acoustical Utilization Device)- Building New Brain Tracks Neurotherapy- Sonic stimulation device that excites the amygdala rewarding new brain tracks Helps tune into yourself and specific brain track patterns Shifts your brainwave patterns, produces a third binaural beat frequency allowing you to create any mental state you are looking for. Aromas Most powerful sense Olfactory bulb is only two synapses away from the amygdala Three synapses away from Hippocampus Emotional and memory recall Obsessive thinking and aroma Recalling relaxation Sensory Deprivation Chamber • Takes out all of the external stimuli so client can learn to have an introspective process. PNP Interventions • 20 Qualities- Come from your strengths to work on your challenges. Positive affirmations to build a internal positive coach. Repeat 1,000 times per day • Ceremonies- Letting go, rituals for integral stages in one’s life PNP Interventions Sleep Program- Rituals Sleep Diet Progressive Muscle Relaxation Safe Place Imagery Music and Sleep PNP Interventions Shamanic Rituals Drumming Vision Quests Shamanic Journeys Enhance alpha and theta brain states Mindful Meditation Mindful Meditation Program- Learning to live in the present moment with mindful meditation and weekly exercises to train the brain to live in the now. “ We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.” – Thich Naht Hanh Brain Activity and Meditation Overview of PNP 3 Phases of Psychoneuroplasticity: 1) Healing the Brain- ridding toxicity, restorative sleep, hormone balancing, and diet 2) Building New or Strengthening Brain Patterns- Focus on internal strengths. Time to lay down new brain tracks. PNP interventions 3) Transpersonal Awareness- 12 step process- new road map of living, letting go of fear and embracing spirituality and love. Compassion and Neuroplasticity Higher activation in the frontal lobe- positive emotions and self control Reduced emotional reactions to life situations- higher activity in the thalamus Increased activity in brain maps that relate to concentration. Structural Plasticity- reduction of size of amygdala (stress and fear) Spirituality and Neuroplasticity Reaching a specific brain state in order to receive spiritual understandings. Slow alpha and theta wave forms Personal safety, removal of ego, shift from survival to altruistic motivations, mind is open to spiritual symbols or meaning. Ex: Nun and Buddhist monk Questions? Check out our Book : References Newberg, A., & d'Aquili, E. G. (2008). Why God won't go away: Brain science and the biology of belief. Random House LLC. Lawlis, D. F., & Martinez, L. (2015). Psychoneuroplasticity Protocols for Addictions. Rowman & Littlefield. Ramel, W., Goldin, P. R., Carmona, P. E., & McQuaid, J. R. (2004). The effects of mindfulness meditation on cognitive processes and affect in patients with past depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 28(4), 433-455. Hammond, D. C. (2003). QEEG-guided neurofeedback in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. Journal of Neurotherapy, 7(2), 25-52. Paul, L. K., Brown, W. S., Adolphs, R., Tyszka, J. M., Richards, L. J., Mukherjee, P., & Sherr, E. H. (2007). Agenesis of the corpus callosum: genetic, developmental and functional aspects of connectivity. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 8(4), 287-299. References Cont. G. Hanson and P.J. Venturelli. Drugs and Society, Jones and Barlett Publishers, Boston, 1995. O. Ray and C. Ksir. Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior, Mosby, St. Louis, 1996. R.R. Levine, C.A. Walsh and R.D. Schwartz. Pharmacology: Drug Actions and Reactions, Parthenon Publishing Group, New York, 1996..