When people think of addiction, the image often conjured is one of recklessness or irresponsibility. Marc Lewis in "The Biology of Desire" explains that addiction rewires the brain’s circuitry, fostering a cycle of craving and compulsion. This means that the addicted brain doesn’t simply “want” substances—it feels as if it needs them for survival. Addiction fundamentally changes the brain’s reward system, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to make rational choices about their substance use.

One of the biggest obstacles to recovery is the stigma surrounding addiction. When society views addiction as a personal failure or a chosen habit, it creates barriers to seeking help. Russell Brand expresses in his book "Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions", that addiction can take many forms beyond substances, including work, stress, and relationships. There is a universal human tendency to seek external sources of comfort when faced with internal pain. This perspective encourages a more compassionate approach to those suffering from addiction, recognizing that it is not just about the substance or behavior, but about the pain that drives it. The road to recovery is complex, but breaking the cycle is possible with the right tools. David Sheff stresses that understanding addiction as a disease, rather than a moral failing, is crucial to removing the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help.

There are significant and profound impacts addiction can have on individuals, families, and communities. A critical shift in understanding addiction is recognizing it not as a mere weakness, or a bad habit, but as a complex, chronic disease that affects both the brain and behavior. It is not just a matter of choice but a deeply complex disease rooted in brain chemistry, emotions, and social context. This perspective can radically change how we approach treatment, offering a more compassionate and scientifically grounded path to recovery. Understanding addiction as a disease opens doors to new treatment approaches, greater empathy, and more sustainable recovery.

In "Unbroken Brain", Maia Szalavitz reframes addiction as a learning disorder—an interaction between brain chemistry, life circumstances, and learned behaviors that lead to compulsive drug use. She asserts that addictive behaviors fall along a spectrum, much like traits in other neurological conditions, and should be understood as coping mechanisms for underlying issues rather than mere indulgences. It is merely a way to cope with emotional pain.

Addiction is so much more than a habit. Substances alter brain chemistry, particularly in the areas related to reward, motivation, and self-control. Recovery is not simply about choosing to quit.

Addiction hijacks the brain’s prefrontal cortex—the area responsible for decision-making, self-control, and judgment. As a result, people suffering from addiction are often unable to regulate their behavior, even when they want to.

The brain’s reward system reinforces substance use by releasing dopamine, the chemical associated with pleasure and reward. Over time, the brain becomes dependent on this chemical surge, leading to tolerance (needing more of the substance to feel the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not available.

Acknowledging addiction as a disease requires a holistic, multi-faceted approach to treatment—one that addresses the psychological, biological, and social factors that contribute to its onset and perpetuation. It is important to understand the emotional drivers and triggers behind addictive behaviors. Viewing addiction as a disease, rather than a habit, opens the door to more effective, compassionate, and comprehensive treatment.

It is important to challenge outdated narratives and promote a more nuanced understanding of addiction.

In practice, this means that treatment should extend beyond simply detoxifying the body from substances. It should encompass therapy that helps individuals understand the emotional and psychological reasons behind their addiction. Additionally, support systems—family, group therapy, or peer support groups—are critical in sustaining long-term recovery.

Apps like letsgethappi give people access to cognitive tools for managing cravings, stress, and emotional triggers. This kind of digital support is a game-changer, especially for those who may not have immediate access to in-person treatment or prefer more discreet care options.

Viewing addiction as a disease rather than a habit shifts the focus from blame to understanding. It encourages us to approach addiction with empathy, knowing that it is rooted in deep neurological and emotional mechanisms. When we break free from the idea that addiction is a mere choice, we open the door to more effective treatment and, ultimately, a healthier society.

Whether through innovative therapies, supportive apps, or community-based programs, the path to healing begins with understanding addiction for what it truly is—a chronic disease that requires care, patience, and resilience. Only by breaking this cycle can we offer those struggling with addiction the opportunity to reclaim their lives.

While medications are made to have a certain effect on one’s body, everyone’s body is built differently. What may work on one person may not have the same effect on others. Different eating habits, lifestyle choices and other factors can enhance or decline the effect of medication.

One such anomaly that researchers have found is a particular spice. A new study found that consuming this spice can change the way medication reacts to your body. Published in the Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences journal, researchers have found that cinnamon is a key ingredient in the way one’s body processes medicine. While some cinnamon is good for your body, a lot of it could stop your body from using certain drugs properly.

How Does Cinnamon Impact Medication In The Body?

Researchers in this study wanted to understand exactly how cinnamon and the important parts of it affect the way our bodies break down medicines. To do this, they did experiments that copied how our stomachs digest food. They looked closely at cinnamon oil and two main things it contains: cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid. The study showed that both of these things can turn on special sensors in our bodies called xenobiotic receptors. These sensors are important for controlling how we deal with drugs.

Researchers explained the activation of these receptors by excessive cinnamon intake could lead the body to eliminate some drugs too rapidly, meaning, it could make our bodies get rid of some medicines too quickly. If this happens, the medicines might not stay in our bodies long enough to do their job properly, making them less effective. So, while a little cinnamon might be good for you, using too much could actually make some of your medications not work as well as they should.

How Much Cinnamon Poses Risk?

The researchers pointed out that even though a small amount of cinnamon in your food is probably okay, using a lot of it regularly or in strong forms could be a problem. They specifically warned that cinnamon supplements, which have a much higher amount of cinnamon in them, might be more likely to cause these issues with your medicines. Because of this, the researchers strongly advise people to talk to their doctors before they start taking any cinnamon supplements or similar products to be safe.

As the popularity of cinnamon grew researchers wanted to bring this issue to the forefront. A lot of people like type 2 diabetes patients who benefit from cinnamon. According to a study published in the American Diabetes Association 2003, one three and six grans if cinnamon per day reduced the amount of serum glucose, LDL or bad cholesterol and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes, effectively lowering risk of cardiovascular diseases and other conditions linked with diabetes.

As many people become aware of the health benefits of cinnamon and start incorporating it in their diet, it is important to do more research to find out what side effects it could have and how it could potentially affect our health. While this new study gives us some important information, the researchers say we still need to do more research, especially studies with people, to really understand how cinnamon might interact with different medications.

Showering every day has been a matter of discussion. But you will always find someone who has gone a day or two without a shower. While it is generally not considered unhygienic, dermatologists have now raised concerns about this habit.

There are always red flags which are sent by your skin if you miss bathing. Some of you may experience scaly patches or discoloured parts. It may even start to look dirty because of hyperpigmented spots. It's not dirt, though. If you reach that point, you might want to see a dermatologist right away, who can determine if you have dermatitis neglecta.

Understanding This Condition

Dermatitis neglecta, as the name suggests, is caused by neglecting the skin. While it might look like dirt, it is just neglecting the skin. Besides discolouration, it is also reflective of significant inflammation and irritation caused by a lack of personal hygiene.

Why Does It Happen?

The answer lies in how your skin sheds. Every few weeks, all dead cells are removed. Cells slough off. Showering helps this process along, even if you don't use an exfoliant. Therefore, when you aren't showering, those cells are likely to remain on the upper layer of your skin or epidermis. If left for days, it will naturally combine with all the bacteria, sweat, oils, and grime your skin encounters. And a layer of tough buildup will begin to appear.

How Long Can It Take For A Person To Get Dermatitis Neglecta?

Dermatitis neglecta does not happen overnight or even in a couple of weeks. A 2015 study in the Journal of Dermatology explored three cases. In one of the cases, the affected individual had not cleaned a part of her body for no less than three to four months. (As a side note, the woman had gone through surgery and was worried about causing an infection in the area, which is why she stopped washing it.) Fortunately, the skin treatment for dermatitis neglecta is fairly simple. Most people can resolve skin issues that are related to dermatitis neglecta with regular cleaning and, in stubborn or severe cases, alcohol-based wipe-downs or administration of topical agents.

There are many conditions that can affect a woman’s reproductive health. Certain medications or conditions that need hysterectomy can cause early menopause in women. There are many likely reasons why this happens. According to Office on Women’s Health (OASH) family history, smoking, chemotherapy or pelvic radiation or autoimmune conditions like thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis, could be some of the reasons why some women go through early menopause.

However, a new study shows that endometriosis could also be a reason for early menopause in women. The study published in the Human Reproduction journal found that women with endometriosis are seven times more likely to undergo surgical menopause, which involves the removal of both ovaries, compared to women without the condition. Furthermore, they are twice as likely to have this surgical procedure before the age of 40.

Women with endometriosis face a greater risk of experiencing natural menopause earlier than others. They are 1.4 times more likely to enter natural menopause before the age of 40, a stage defined as premature menopause. These women also have an elevated risk of early menopause, occurring between the ages of 40 and 44.

What Is Endometriosis?

It is a persistent condition affecting approximately one in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. According to the NHS, it involves tissue similar to the womb lining appearing in other parts of the body. Previous research has shown a significant delay of nearly nine years in receiving an endometriosis diagnosis, potentially leading to missed treatment opportunities and irreversible organ damage due to the continued growth of this misplaced tissue.

According to the World Health Organization, 190 million women throughout the globe have endometriosis, which is roughly 10% of people. Not only does it cause pain during periods, issues in bowel movements, urination etc., but also causes bloating nausea, fatigue and mental health issues like depression, anxiety and infertility.

What Does Early Menopause Mean For Women?

It's crucial for women with endometriosis to be aware not only of the wide range of debilitating menopause symptoms they might experience earlier in life but also of the broader health risks associated with premature menopause, whether it occurs naturally or is surgically induced. These risks include cardiovascular disease and premature death.

Researchers from the study stressed the importance of understanding the causes of early or medically induced menopause to implement proactive measures for managing the associated long-term health risks.

OASH explains that women who experience menopause early may face similar symptoms and health issues as those going through regular menopause. However, some women with early or premature menopause might also have a greater chance of developing serious health problems like heart disease and weak bones (osteoporosis) because they'll live for a longer time without the protective benefits of higher estrogen levels.

They might also have more intense menopause symptoms, and there are treatments available to help manage these if they interfere with daily life. Additionally, some women may feel sad or depressed about losing their fertility early or the changes in their bodies. If these feelings, like low energy or loss of interest in enjoyable activities, last for more than a few weeks, speaking to a doctor is recommended.