Improve Sleep. Improve Focus.

 When someone lives through scary or very upsetting events — especially many times or over a long period — they might develop C-PTSD or PTSD.  Trauma and stress can change parts of the brain that help us learn, remember things, and pay attention.   Because of those brain changes, people with PTSD or C-PTSD often have trouble concentrating, remembering memories, learning new things, or organizing and thinking clearly. Sometimes the effects are strong — even regular tasks or daily memory can feel difficult.  Both EMDR and DBT are used by therapists to help people with PTSD, C‑PTSD, anxiety, or trauma recover and regain control over their thoughts, emotions, and daily life,

References below.

 EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy that helps your brain process scary or upsetting memories. During EMDR, a trained therapist guides your eyes to move back and forth while you think about difficult memories. This helps your brain “re-file” the memory so it doesn’t feel as scary or upsetting anymore. Many people with PTSD find EMDR helps them feel calmer and think more clearly.

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is another type of therapy that teaches skills to handle strong emotions, reduce stress, and improve focus. DBT can help people notice their feelings without being overwhelmed, solve problems better, and cope with triggers in healthy ways. It also includes mindfulness exercises, which train your brain to stay in the present and reduce anxiety.

 When people drink alcohol — especially a lot or often — it can change how their brain works and make thinking, memory, and coordination harder.  Alcohol can slow down brain signals, which can make things like remembering stuff, making good decisions, or staying balanced harder.  Drinking too much over time can shrink parts of the brain involved in memory and learning.  Alcohol can also hurt other parts of the body — not only the brain, but organs like the liver, heart, and even the body’s systems that help you fight sickness. Even though alcohol might make you feel relaxed or “happy” at first, drinking too much or too often can lead to problems like memory loss, mood changes, trouble thinking clearly, and physical health troubles. References below.

WITHOUT ALCOHOL: 

• You think more clearly and make better decisions.
• Your memory is sharper, so you remember more.
• You can focus longer without feeling foggy.
• Your mood is more stable and you feel more in control.
• You sleep better, which helps your brain recharge. 
• Your body stays healthier, giving your brain more energy to work well.

 Using marijuana can cause problems with memory, learning, attention, and making good decisions — both soon after using and sometimes long afterwards.   It can slow down how fast your brain works, and make it harder to remember things, focus in school, or plan and organize tasks.   When people start using while they’re still young and their brain is growing, the effects can be stronger — their brain development can be changed so that memory or thinking problems may last longer.   Also, heavy or very frequent use often ties to bigger problems: trouble with learning new things, paying attention, staying motivated, or even making good decisions. 

References below

 Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome is a condition that can happen to people who use marijuana regularly for a long time. Even though many people think cannabis helps with nausea, in some users it can actually do the opposite. CHS causes repeated cycles of severe nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting that can last for hours or even days. These episodes come and go, which is why it’s called “cyclic.” People with CHS often find that taking hot showers or baths gives temporary relief because the heat calms certain nerves in the body. Doctors aren’t fully sure why CHS happens, but it’s believed that long-term cannabis use can confuse the brain and gut systems that control nausea and digestion. The only proven way to stop CHS is to stop using cannabis completely. Once cannabis is stopped, symptoms usually go away over time.