Drugs and the Brain

A variety of over-the-counter and prescription drugs can impair brain function. Many of these drugs won’t signal obvious symptoms that the brain is adversely affected. Alcohol can depress brain function, although in small amounts it can improve social activity—this may be a great thing for the brain. Balance is key—even if it’s only one small alcoholic drink, whether wine, beer, or distilled booze—if you don’t feel right drinking, or feel the effects the next morning, avoid alcohol altogether.

Drugs are often prescribed to balance brain chemistry. Depressed patients are given medication to restore balance to the neurotransmitters. Prozac, Elavil, Buspar, Aventyl, Tofranil, and Zoloft are antidepressants that affect the balance of serotonin and norepinephrine. But these medications have side effects, including reductions in glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant, which protects the brain from damage and is important for the body’s recovery from a workout or race.

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