Effects Of Substance Dependence On A Person s Brain

Nearly everyone knows someone who is dependent upon drugs or alcohol. Substance dependence is an issue, with lifetime alcohol dependence from 2001-2002 in the United States alone being 12.5%, and lifetime drug dependence on drugs being 2.6%. (Fleury, Grenier, Bamvita, Perreault, and Caron 204). Risk for substance dependence varies from one person to another; there are so many factors that can influence it, including just personality and certain attitudes people have. The psychology of a person’s brain is so complex that it would be impossible to determine every single thing that affects a person’s risk for substance dependence. There are some factors, however, that can be studied and measured - and studies have been done on those factors†¦show more content†¦6). These studies show that although not everyone with a family history of substance dependence becomes an addict themselves, it does put them at a significantly greater risk of developing a dependence upon any type of substance they may abuse in their lifetime. â€Å"For the individual with a history of substance dependence in his or her family, even occasional or sporadic abuse should be viewed with more concern that if family substance dependence were not present† (Margolis and Zweben 67). Those with parents and grandparents that have had a substance addiction should be extra cautious when using drugs and alcohol, because it can affect them very differently. â€Å"Just trying it once† could turn into a lifetime reliance upon the substance. The biology of this is not fully understood though one hypothesis is that it has to do with having a fewer number of dopamine receptors in the brain, meaning they might not be absorbing as much dopamine as normal people do (Casey, Benkelfat, Cherkasova, Baker, Dagher, and Leyton 23). This may cause a desire to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain through certain types

Effects Of Christianity On Cabeza De Vaca And The Natives

Jacob Lawn History 7A Professor Delay 14th September 2015 The Effects of Christianity on Cabeza de Vaca and the Natives On June 17, 1527, Cabeza de Vaca set sail west on a expedition to conquer and govern the lands from Mexico to the cape of Florida. However, during his journey Cabeza was faced with much devastation such as the wrecking of his ship which resulted in his separation from the majority of his Christian companions. Praying to God after every ordeal, Cabeza routinely sought after his Christian religion to guide him through his unexpected journey. While adventuring and touring through the interior portion of America, Cabeza encountered many different tribes that had already been living on the land. A Majority of the sixteenth century conquistadors imposed their religion through war and violence, Cabeza was one of few conquistadors to stay true to his religion and try to find the goodness in all of the indians he met. Moving from tribe to tribe as a medicine man Cabeza still stayed true to his Christian teachings and implemented them into the way that he communicated with the natives, which led to many tribes following the Christian faith. The religion of Christianity directly influenced the way in which Cabeza de Vaca interacted and felt toward the natives. Throughout the duration of his time traveling across the interior of America, Cabeza was able to practice his religious beliefs throughout all the mishaps he was faced with and was also able to convert manyShow MoreRelatedEssay on Effect Of Christianity On Cabeza De Vaca And The Natives1417 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Christianity on Cabeza de Vaca and the Natives On June 17, 1527, Cabeza de Vaca set sail on the order to conquer and govern the lands from the Rio Grande to the cape of Florida. However, during his journey he encountered much devastation such as the wrecking of his ship which resulted in his separation from the majority of his Christian companions. Praying to God after every ordeal, Cabeza routinely sought after his Christian religion to guide him through his unexpected journeyRead MoreEffect of Christianity on Cabeza de Vaca and the Natives Essay1440 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Christianity on Cabeza de Vaca and the Natives On June 17, 1527, Cabeza de Vaca set sail on the order to conquer and govern the lands from the Rio Grande to the cape of Florida. However, during his journey he encountered much devastation such as the wrecking of his ship which resulted in his separation from the majority of his Christian companions. Praying to God after every ordeal, Cabeza routinely sought after his Christian religion to guide him through his unexpected journeyRead MoreArmed Conflict591 Words   |  2 Pagessimilarities exist between the conflict incurred by European settlers with Native Americans in the depictions of Inca, Garcilaso de la Vegas La Florida del Inca, and Gaspar Perez de Villagras Historia de la Nueva Mexico. Excerpts from both works can be found in the compendium edited by Harold Augnebraum and Magartie Fernandez Olmos entitled The Latino Reader: Five Centuries of an American Literary Tradition from Cabeza de Vaca to Oscar Hijuelos. In both narratives, the authors chronicle Spaniards unlawfulRead MoreTHE COLONIES pt1 the encounters Essay1787 Words   |  8 PagesChapter One: Natives: Old world explorers encountered in the new world complex and diverse peoples—who, where, etc? Old world explorers encountered Native Americans in North America. Pre-Columbian America is â€Å"fraught with controversy.† What conflicts were they? Native Americans had conflict with the Europeans over social and environmental problems; this led to violence and war. Also, Europeans and Native Americans were both violent and Europeans enslaved and killed Natives to conquer landRead More Distortions of the Daniel Boone Legend and Their Impact Essay2905 Words   |  12 Pagessocietal pitfalls that have plagued mankind for ages. [2] So, then, what exactly are the problems with this film? Notably, nearly every film or TV show based on Daniel Boone has similar twisted depictions and representations of Boone, the native Americans, the white settlers, and the interaction therein. This suggests something deeper, and subtler maybe, than a few misinformed filmmakers. Something hidden seems to be imbedded deep within American consciousness, perhaps even to this day

Tourism promotes understanding between nations free essay sample

Can international tourism promotes understanding between nations? BY allele Every year, hundreds of millions of people move around to see a deferent part of the world. It Is natural to assume that tourists who have seen other countries have a better knowledge of the people. That assumption also leads to the conclusion that international tourism promotes understanding between nations. How true Is this? Let us examine what tourists do in a different country. First, before going abroad, tourists are often told by their travel agents of the possible shards which sometimes include local people.They are given example of extreme cases where victims are always the travelers. Then, when they arrive, they are immediately taken to their hotels in big coaches. They flood places where local people dont go. Their shopping, meals, entertainment all take place in secluded areas. They wear a bubble all the way. Apart from speaking to the guide and a few shop assistants, tourists rarely talk to the local people. We will write a custom essay sample on Tourism promotes understanding between nations or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page To make it even worse, they meet pickpockets, they are ripped off by dishonest traders.Furthermore, very few local people bother to talk to them out of a genuine Interest In the guests country, people and culture. Therefore, when asked how much they know about the local people, their answer is very little. If someone really wants to understand a different culture, he has to learn its language, stay there for at least a few month without wearing a bubble, learn how to curse and swear, bargain with a vegetable vendor and then he can say that he understands the people.

Creative Writing; Point of View from a Stuffed Animal Kitten free essay sample

A much taller, weathered-looking alien came by and swept the helpless up and put them back on their shelves. I never fell though, of course. Nothing could touch me at the time, until I met the day that would bring my demise as a king of my land. It was a normal day like every other. I was watching over my peers with full intention of protection when I noticed a peculiar little alien. This alien was different and very unlike all other little aliens that came through my land. He wore a frown on his round face and stomped his feet out of displeasure to the middle of the lane. After a quick perusal, his zealous eyes threw angry glances towards me as I remained patient while enduring utmost disrespect. Before I could register in my mind what was happening to me, I was being squeezed by the fractious alien’s hands. We will write a custom essay sample on Creative Writing; Point of View from a Stuffed Animal Kitten or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He squeezed and pinched every part of my body: ears, nose, whiskers, tail, and paws. I was violated over and over as I was scanned and thrown into a plastic bag. Leaving my kingdom, I felt uncomfortable warmth all over my body. I couldn’t see through the translucent bag, but the bright light which passed through blinded me. I was roughly tossed into what I now know is a transportation vehicle, hitting my head. Quickly, the vehicle turned on, made a loud noise, and began moving. It hit many bumps and I hit my head continuously leaving my entire body sore. I was being smothered by the plastic bag I was contained in and soon lost consciousness. Within moments, my life had gone from greatness to nothing. I was once the beloved king of my people, but quickly became an obsequious slave. I was thrown at walls, wailed into furniture, stomped on the floor, and dropped in dirt. My face would be drilled into the mud many times over the years. Sticky juice and soda pop would be spilled on my once soft, clean fur. My long whiskers were cut, and my white fur was dirty. I felt more ugly than I looked. The giant family dog and the alien boy often played tug-of-war with my sore body, pulling me back and forth ripping the stitches at my limbs. Thick dog slobber would drip down my snout, further dirtying my fur. All I wanted was to be loved. All I wanted was to be cared for. It wasn’t too long until the alien boy stopped playing with me. The dog forgot about my existence as well. The feeling was bitter-sweet. I wasn’t being mistreated anymore, and I wasn’t constantly exposed to pain and discomfort, but I felt alone more than ever. Minutes felt like hours, hours felt like days, and days felt like weeks. I laid in a dusty corner for months facing the banal wall, only able to hear my surroundings. This feeling was common, common to anyone forgotten and mistreated. This is how I thought I would spend eternity. Soon life would change once more for me. One morning I found myself in a large bag with many others like me. There were teddy bears, toy horses, dolls, and cars. I was surprised to find out that they had been treated the same way I had been by the alien boy. Just like me, they all once had good lives which were ripped away from them by the alien. They were beaten and dirtied, but eventually forgotten. We were taken to the transportation vehicle and tossed into it. It started up, and within minutes we were at our destination. After being emptied out of the bag, my eyes met the faces of many little girl aliens. They rhapsodized over us, for their faces were filled with smiles as â€Å"oohs† and â€Å"ahhs† poured out of their mouths. They bounced up and down with excitement and anticipation. One alien gently grabbed my body and hugged me tightly to her chest. For the next several hours she swung me on the outside swings and took me everywhere she went. In the evening she would put me back on the top of my shelf my new kingdom for a respite and get me down again the next day. All of the new little aliens brought something to me I never had before. They brought me love that I had yearned for.

Importance of Training Mind to Find Happiness and Meaning of Life

The depth of human mind allows individuals to use it as a powerful instrument for examining the nature of reality and exploring the human potential. However, our perception of the world alters as soon as we gain more knowledge and experience.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Importance of Training Mind to Find Happiness and Meaning of Life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The reality, therefore, is a complex set of acquired knowledge about information, as well as unique vision of an individual. It is logical, therefore, for people to cognize the world in different fashion because their attitudes and belief systems rely more on experiential dimension. People should be aware of the importance to control and train our mind in order to understand the objective reality and become much happier. Our mind, therefore, is the major obstacle to become happy and achieve harmony with nature and the surrounding world. Mind is t he main mechanism that permits individuals to interpret reality, but the extent of objectivity and perception depends largely on the level of self-confidence. Training mind reveals much more opportunities for humans to perceive the world. In particular, it blurs the boundaries of consciousness and expands our understanding of how world is represented. According to Buddhist thinking, mind training â€Å"†¦is training in stability in order to â€Å"reveal the mystery† of the ultimate nature of reality, our own and that of other phenomena† (Wallace 80). Buddhism also proposes two approaches to mind training – release and control. The latter implies being able to sustain attention on a specific object which is aimed at taking control of our actions and thoughts.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Focusing attention on a specific object allows an individual to estab lish priorities in case the attention is straightforward. Foci of attention do not only change attitude, but also provide more information about the reality that was hidden due to the established frames of attention. Mind training does not change our outlook or the mechanism we perceive reality. Rather, it can transform our attitudes, which does not imply changing our identity. In this respect, physical and verbal conduct reflecting individual attitudes and perceptions should influence identity and, as a result, certain circumstances entail radical changes. Maintaining the extent of spiritual engagement, but changing the mechanisms of interpreting reality is the key to training and controlling our actions. The models of cognizing reality also depend on our understanding of what reality and experience imply, as well as how it transforms our consciousness. Being aware of these concepts can induce the corresponding shifts. Therefore, mind and consciousness takes responsibility for the way perceive reality.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Importance of Training Mind to Find Happiness and Meaning of Life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More With regard to the above, it is highly important how human mind approaches specific realities, which is the ground of the Buddhist philosophy. Cultivating mind is important for understanding how various processes affect our perception and attitude to the world. In this respect, faith and confidence are key factors affecting belief systems. However, people believe in or accept something because they have confidence in it, but not because it is written in religious scriptures, or because a certain philosophical or religious movement accepts it. In other words, human mind is not subject solely to rational explanation of the world. Many aspects lie beyond the reason and intellectual thinking and can be cognized by emotional faculties. One way or another, blind accep tance is inadmissible because thinking process cannot capture the depth of the processes and activities. There is an assumption that, in order to accept happiness, dissatisfaction is the first step to reach the goal. The idea is slightly congruent with Descartes’s deliberations on the concept of ambivalence and oppositions. A person can conceive the concept of happiness and peace as soon as he/she realizes what it means to be upset, discouraged, and angry. All these aspects are also differently perceived and depend largely on the set of experiences an individual gains in the course of life.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Consequently, dissatisfaction, as the ground thesis in Buddhism, entails suffering and endless searching. Individuals should undergo suffering, sorrow, and pain to understand how happiness can be achieved. As a result, being happy means being liberated from sorrow and suffering. Our understanding of happiness is strongly associated with the way our mind approaches reality. People can differently evaluate specific situations. Some individuals might think that happiness is impossible to achieve unless they are bound by stereotypes and prejudices whereas others firmly believe that happiness is possible as soon they found the boundaries of their consciousness. Contextual reality, therefore, is largely constructed by the way we measure external processes. The core sense of mind training does not consist in sustaining firm beliefs and attitudes about various concepts. Indeed, specific vision of reality is largely predetermined by the extent to which individuals focus on self-confidence an d self-development. Self-centered approach to perceiving reality often prevents from interpreting it in an objective way. The point is that people mistakenly think that craving is the key to achieving peace and happiness. In fact, to perceive the reality as it is can be possible through denial and removal of the existence of sel. According to Buddhism, self-delusion is the main cause of unhappiness. At the same time, human mind is capable of achieving happiness by interpreting reality in its own way, which is also a kind of self-delusion. The human mind has the ability to interpret reality differently in the course of gaining experience and evolving. Deep reflection on the transformation of human mind and human consciousness are brightly represented in the Chinese philosophy. In particular, the Chinese philosophers adhere to the evidence of existence of a specific pattern that shapes the ultimate reality and that stands separately from human perception. Therefore, human nature has t he capability of disclosing the reality of thing differently because of a set of factors shaping their vision. In this respect, reality can also be regarded as a combination of individual realities. It is logical to assert, therefore, that reality cannot be perceived as an ultimate representation of things, but the one that is characterized by the presence of individuals. The sense of belonging of the individual to the whole reality is closely connected to the spiritual dimension, as well as to the degree to which a person identifies himself/herself with the reality. In addition, although the way we perceive things stands beyond the ultimate reality of things, human nature is still rooted in the ultimate representation. Thus, individuals originally have knowledge of things and recognize the efforts to cognize the reality. The fact that the mind is the precursor all conditioned things is justified because it predetermines the quality of our life, as well as our future actions. The hu man mind is also the forerunner of all conflicts and misunderstandings because of the previously cultivated perceptions and concepts. Therefore, retraining and controlling the mind is the key to understanding and reconciliation. False images and interpretation of the ultimate reality will not contribute to avoiding ideological confrontations. In order to cognize the ultimate reality, the Buddhist philosophers argue that individuals should know, control, and train their minds to liberate from existing stereotypes. Moreover, asserting that human nature is inherent part of ultimate reality also seems logical. As soon as we become aware of the importance of training and controlling our mind provides new perspectives of setting our consciousness free. There are people who live in the realm of ideas, image, symbols, and concepts. However, this world does not characterize the real state of things. This is where theory is distinguished from empirical experience. Accumulating knowledge from practical experience can be valued because it contributes to resolving and understanding the essence of things. Reluctance to understand reality can lead to conflict because the conditioned dimension implies abiding the things that are not actually presented as we see them. Despite the fact that the reality exists independent from human mind, the conflicts and confusion will still be generated as long as humans stop distorting the ultimate reality. In conclusion, it should be stressed that the human mind should not have ideological and stereotypical boundaries because it prevents them from perceiving objectively the ultimate reality. However, because human nature originates from the objective reality, our belief system, perceptions, and attitudes should also be regarded as representation of this reality. Therefore, people should focus on training, controlling, and cognizing their minds in order to avoid conflict and confusions, as well as achieve happiness and harmony with other peo ple. Work Cited Wallace, Alan B. Buddhism with an Attitude: The Tibetan Seven-Point Mind-Training. US: Snow Lion Publications, 2003, Print. This essay on Importance of Training Mind to Find Happiness and Meaning of Life was written and submitted by user Anders Erickson to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Chopins The Awakening essays

Chopins The Awakening essays Still Asleep and Mostly Happy that Way: The Awakening (1899) as Socially Critical Text and (and in) Kate Chopins Time Within Kate Chopins novel The Awakening, which was first published in 1899 to mixed (actually, mostly negative) reviews, and then greeted publicly with a great deal of condemnation (Sprinkle, 1995), the main character Edna Pontellier suffers increasing despair and hopelessness, as a married woman of 28 with two small sons. These spring from her realizations that she is unhappy, misunderstood, and, worst of all, alone with her feelings in a traditional Catholic, Creole-dominated social environment in which womens roles, in particular, are especially narrow and truncated. Once Edna knows she returns the younger, enviably carefree Robert Lebruns attraction to her, she also recognizes, regretfully and with wistfulness for lost youthful opportunities at passion, that she is nevertheless trapped inside a loveless marriage, with responsibilities to small children. All of that spawns the beginning of Ednas sad, slow, lonely, and ultimately fatal, awakening that summer at Grande Isl e. Initially within this novel, Edna Pontellier simply admits, implicitly, to herself if not yet aloud to anyone else, when alone in her bedroom, after she and Leonce quarrel at dinner over its poor quality (he blames her) that she is alienated from her husband and frustrated with mindless, meaningless, mundane married life. Edna, at this same time, has grown increasingly indifferent, to the point of near-hostility, even, about any and all of her expected wifely and motherly roles: from organizing the household and managing the hired help to accepting visits from social callers to making light conversation with a husband with whom she feels nothing important in common. The best evidence of all this, is that Edna is content to carry these daily obligations of marriage badly, or ev...

Genetic Engineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Genetic Engineering - Essay Example This paper declares that one method that is gaining ground to cure genetically impaired individuals without so much objection on the part of its people is genetic engineering because it is not forced at individuals to be engineered, specially to eliminate defects. Genetic engineering that involves elimination of defects is called negative genetic engineering. Going beyond this, to bring about improvement in normal people is by contrast positive engineering. This discussion explores that genetic disorder causes problems to individuals in terms of sickness or diseases like autism, diabetes and cystic fibrosis. These genetic diseases can be cured by gene therapy or by negative gene engineering. The principle behind negative genetic engineering is that a virus which is non-virulent or non-pathogenic will serve as a delivery system to insert a piece of DNA into the cell of the individual person with genetic disorder. The process is deemed successful when the modified cells divide normally to produce cells that express the trait that was missing before the individual person received the copy of that gene. This gene therapy provide good outlook at treating other maladies that are menacing many of our people with genetic disorder. While negative genetic engineering removes genetic disorders, positive genetic engineering enhances human. The latter makes those who are already healthy superior to the average. It makes people stronger, faster, smar ter. It enhances intelligence, stamina and physical attributes; it increases immunity of people to diseases caused by viruses. These changes can easily be attained when sex cells are the ones engineered during the critical period of the union between the egg and sperm cells. These changes are inheritable in all succeeding generations, posing permanent alterations of the human kind. Moral Implications of Genetic Engineering "If we produce a group of people who turn out worse than expected, we will have to live with them[...] The possibility of an irreversible disaster is a strong deterrent. It is enough to make some people think we should rule out genetic engineering altogether, and to make others think that, while negative engineering is perhaps acceptable, we should rule out positive engineering." (p.193) The above-mentioned quotes implies that "the benefits from negative engineering are clearer and that because its aims are more modest, disastrous mistakes are less likely." (p.193) Positive genetic engineering seemed immoral and unethical when one of its potential products is a