Learning, the Brain, and Addiction

1. Learning, the Brain, and Addiction February 2014 Gail Schauer, Assistant Director ND Department of Public Instruction

2. 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.

3. Studying the Brain • Studying Behavior • Dissection of the Brain • Study of Bumps on the Skull Phrenology

4. Learning About the Brain • EEG • Functional MRI • PETS Scans • CAT Scans

6. Neurons – Where Learning Begins Axon Terminals Dendrites Cell Body Myelin Sheath Nucleus

7. The Developing Brain The brain undergoes major changes from birth to adulthood. At what age are brains fully developed?

8. The Developing Brain

9. Development of the Brain • What part of the brain develops last? • Frontal Lobe • Controls • Judgment • Reasoning • Organization • Planning • Strategizing • Decision Making

10. Our Brain’s Reward System

11. Our Brain’s Reward System

12. Alcohol & Drugs

13. Destructive Behaviors - Alcohol • 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

14. Destructive Behaviors - Alcohol • 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

15. Less Brain Activity even when sober Non-Drinker vs. Drinker

16. Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center OJJDP Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, January 2013

17. 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

18. 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

19. Destructive Behaviors - Marijuana Is Marijuana addicting? Experts don’t agree, but . . .

20. 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.

21. Destructive Behaviors - Marijuana • 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 X

22. Addiction without the drug? • Problem or Pathological Gambling • Overeating • Self-Injury (Anorexia & Bulimia Nervosa) • “Pass Out” Game • Over-exercise • Sexual Addiction

23. 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

24. 4 Most Addictive Foods Chocolate Processed Sugars Meat Cheese

25. 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

26. www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/data.htm

27. Keeping Our Brains Healthy ! ! ! • Exercise • Eat Right • Stay Hydrated – Drink Water • Sleep • Work on Analytical Skills • Find Natural Highs

28. Helping Our Teens • Stay educated • Provide healthy choices • Foster a positive environment • Teach emotional and social skills • Stay connected • Monitor their activities • Model natural highs

29. Parents • 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

30. Schools • Coordinated School Health Program • School Health Advisory Council • Comprehensive Physical Activity Program • School Connectedness • Social – Emotional Learning

31. 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/

32. www.dpi.state.nd.us/health/index.shtm • Topics Include: • Alcohol Prevention • Brain Research • Drug Prevention • Health and Academic • YRBS • PLUS MANY MORE TOPICS

33. 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

34. 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.

35. For More Information Gail Schauer, Assistant Director Safe and Healthy Schools Dept of Public Instruction (701) 328-2265 gschauer@nd.gov