Recovery and Mental Health with AspenRidge’s CEO
Have you ever wondered how personal experiences shape the vision and passion of leaders in the recovery space? In a past episode of the podcast "Sober Stories," host Beth Bowen sat down with our CEO, Shannon Van Deman. With a deeply personal…
How Long for Dopamine Receptors to Heal?
Dopamine has long been considered a “pleasure chemical” closely linked to the disease of addiction. When referring to a dopamine rush, many associates it with the brain’s natural reward system that activates key neurochemicals during activities…
Why Mental Health Matters
Mental health matters. It’s connected to nearly all facets of life and is a driving force for how we are able to interact with peers, loved ones, and even strangers. It is also connected to our physical wellbeing, helping us to maintain certain…
How Does Mental Illness Affect The Brain
Mental illness can be generalized and sometimes even dismissed. There’s a long-standing stigma surrounding mental health with many dismissing them as a sign of weakness, instability, or moral failing. Stigmatizing mental illnesses can be detrimental…
Quitting Alcohol Cured My Anxiety
It’s not unusual for people to use alcohol to alleviate anxiety. However, the relationship between anxiety and alcohol use disorder can become a dangerous, self-perpetuating cycle. Scientific research reveals how habitual drinking amplifies…
DMT Risks
Dimethyltryptamine is hallucinogenic tryptamine drug also known more popularly as DMT. It derives from plants found in South America, Asia, and Mexico. This natural plant extract has been used for centuries as a means of healing people. In the…
Drug Incarceration Statistics
Drug incarceration statistics are revealing prevalent issues that may actually be negatively impacting ongoing drug use and addiction recovery.
In 2021, Oregon became the first state to move toward decriminalization. On November 3, Oregon…
Serotonin vs Dopamine Deficiency Symptoms
Cultivating a happy, calm, and motivated mind that finds ease in concentrating, relaxing, and sleeping soundly is no simple undertaking. There are many factors that affect a person’s mental wellbeing, and one of the most significant is a group…
Dopamine Burnout
If dopamine is our brain’s feel-good chemical, what happens when this neurotransmitter production is exhausted? Dopamine deficiency is real and extremely problematic for people currently experiencing downturns in dopamine production. After…
What Part of the Brain Controls Addiction
Willpower alone will not help a person to overcome an addiction. This all-too-common myth is dangerous when broaching the topic of substance abuse disorder (SUD) in context with treatment efficacy. Frequently, there are physical and psychological…