I have my concerns re: alcohol, in fact, I am working right now (new gig..I'm in the learning stages myself) counseling those with problems in this area.

Very interesting point about how in some cultures they use wine (a small amount???) as a social lubricant. As you say, in an "non-abusive" way. A good point and one perhaps Frankl was getting at.

We know there are those who have inherit problem/addiction tendencies in this area. So much sadness here.

Anyway, whatever our burdens might be...light...heavy or something in between....I do believe choice (s) play (s) a role.

As always, thank you for your thought, wisdom and insight.

plain and simple PLEASE.. how do i raise my levels of seretonin?

l-tryptophan + B6

or

5-HTP

The first is gentler and takes more time.
The 5-HTP may have more side effects but is faster.

What I have noticed lately with Carbohydrates is that they give me the sustained energy I need throughout the day and give me an extra boost of energy. Carbohydrates are an essential part of any daily diet. Gotta love the sweets too.

If you've already covered food addiction in this conversation, please ignore this post. But I'm going to toss in my 'terminology rant' just in case no one else has mentioned it yet...

I really abhor the term 'carbohydrates'. It's FAR too general.

It's not the fault of the general public but this is what all the advertising and diet hype promotes. People who write diet/cook books should know better than to lump grain in with vegetables. They are NOT the same but they ARE valid carb suppliers.

When people talk about carb cravings - really they're only talking about grain. You never hear them talk about carrots or squash.

"Oh I just had to eat that huge plate of squash today!"

The difference between a carb from a fruit/vegetable and from a grain are worlds apart.

Gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats) has been noted to have a systemic response in the brain that is very close to opium. (check out pubmed)

Yes, foods can be addictive. We don't really need science to tell us this though. Look at what manufacturers are putting in their 'recipes'. They test and retest to see what will make us want to eat more of their product.

Any addiction has a 'got to have it' and a depression that follows when the brain synapses empty out.

We recognize this cerebral response in smoking, drinking, drug use but we currently do not give much validity to the same response with food. Some people claim it is the power of the food boards (wheat board, etc.). That may or may not be. I think that it's just so widespread that people accept it as a 'normal' part of life and are taught not to question it.

Okay... I'm done now.

Hey MrsD. I always thought this too. And I'm not sure if this used to be true. However it is not true today.

We've been bringing in students from France and Spain for the last three years. I've always made a point of asking them if their parents allow them to drink wine. Not one student is allowed to drink wine regularly. Special occasions only and then only 1/4 to 1/2 a glass.

Sometimes, I think in N.A. we use these misconceptions to give ourselves more allowances/permission.


K

Again... not vegetable but grain...

Breaking the Vicious Cycle, by Elaine Gottschall is a book based on replacing grains with nuts and has had tremendous success in people with celiac disease, crohn's, unidentified gluten sensitivity, autism, etc.

I did the diet myself several years ago and though it was difficult, expensive and time consuming, I never felt better.

Now, I do consume grain - mostly white rice but some others mixed in (sorghum, amaranth, etc.) - but every time I try and bring whole grains back in, I start getting achy etc.

I can't speak to anxiety though. Gluten does that to me and it only takes surprising minute amounts to send me on a downward swing with my mood.

My children, if they seem to consume too much sugar, will tell me they need to cut back. Of course in our house, everyone is VERY aware of the connection between food and mood because of our severe gluten reactions... so this might be unusual.

The definition of a complex and simple carb change depending upon the professional you speak to. People like E. Gottschall considered jam to be complex because of the refined sugar in it. Personal Trainers are trained to view jam as a simple carb.

It makes life confusing for the basic consumer who is trying to figure out what they need to do for themselves.