(NaturalHealth365) More than 25 million American adults – roughly 11.2 percent of the population – report having chronic pain, according to the National Institutes of Health. This epidemic has triggered an unprecedented national spike in the use (and abuse) of painkillers – including over-the-counter drugs and prescription opioid medications.

Tragically, 44 people die in the United States every day as a result of prescription opioid overdose – while non-narcotic medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen carry risks of their own, including damage to the stomach and liver. But, according to Charles Gant, MD, PhD, the solution to the problem of chronic pain and painkiller use could lie within our own bodies.

On the next NaturalHealth365 Talk Hour, Dr. Gant will expose the entire truth about painkillers and outline a better way to eliminate chronic pain.

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Neurotransmitters can help you reduce chronic pain and the need for painkillers

According to Dr. Gant, drugs simply mimic the actions and effects of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers in the brain. But depletion and deficiency of these neurotransmitters can cause increased awareness of pain, and trigger cravings and addictive behavior. The key to relief, says Dr. Gant, is restoring proper biochemical balance in the brain – which can break the cycle of addiction.

For instance, proper levels of serotonin in the brain can ensure stable mood and restful sleep. The neurotransmitter GABA also has a calming effect – which is mimicked by Valium and other benzodiazepines.

Endorphins and enkephalins, which are mimicked by opiate drugs such as oxycodone, help with relief of pain and create a sense of well-being.

According to Dr. Gant, there is even a “natural nicotine” – acetylcholine – in the body, as well as a form of “natural marijuana,” the endocannabinoid system.

When we take the actual drugs that mimic the neurotransmitters, says Dr. Gant, the brain no longer feels impelled to create them. As a result, it produces less and less of them. “Physical substances cause physical changes in the brain,” Dr. Gant reports.

On the next NaturalHealth365 Talk Hour, Dr. Gant reveals WHY painkillers can be ineffective (and dangerous) plus a more natural way to feel better.

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Better nutrition is the key to ending addiction for life

Dr. Gant, who has helped over 7,500 patients, says that his comprehensive approach – which combines neuro-nutritional protocols, detoxification and genetic interventions – has led to a clinical outcome rate of 83 percent – as opposed to the traditional rate of 10 to 30 percent achieved by many detoxification and rehabilitation facilities.

Proper supplementation of nutrients such as herbs, vitamins and amino acids can help replenish neurotransmitters, thereby normalizing and restoring deficiencies that spur cravings.

For example, phenylalanine helps to restore enkephalins and endorphins, deficiencies of which can trigger the abuse of opiate painkillers – as well as of sweets, starches and nicotine. Both phenylalanine and the amino acid tyrosine also help to restore dopamine and norepinephrine – shortages of which can lead to cravings for stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine and amphetamines.

In addition to rebuilding neurotransmitters, Dr. Gant has developed a detoxification program built on proper nutrition. It’s a safe (and effective) way to restore your health. Join us for a great show.

This week’s guest: Charles Gant, MD, PhD, integrative doctor and expert on nutrition, addiction and chronic pain

Discover the truth about painkillers and how to end addiction naturally – Sun. Jul. 23

Charles Gant, MD, PhD is an integrative physician, author and educator. Practicing contemporary/alternative and functional medicine for over 30 years, Dr. Gant focuses on finding the root cause of disorders, while assisting patients in maximizing their genetic potential. He received his M.D. from the University of Virginia Medical School, and received postgraduate training in family practice, psychiatry and psychology.

Currently the chief science officer of the Academy of Functional Medicine, Dr. Gant is a leader in Precision Medicine, a cutting-edge medical system of prevention and treatment that takes into account individual differences in genomics, environmental stressors and lifestyles. Dr. Gant is also the author of several books including, “End Your Addiction Now: The Proven Nutritional Supplement Program that Can Set You Free.”

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
Other Recommended Resources

About the author: Jonathan Landsman is the host of NaturalHealth365.com, the NaturalHealth365 Talk Hour – a free, weekly health show – and the NaturalHealth365 INNER CIRCLE, a monthly subscription to the brightest minds in natural health and healing.

Reaching hundreds of thousands of people, worldwide, as a personal health consultant, writer and radio talk show host, Jonathan has been educating the public on the health benefits of an organic, non-GMO diet along with high-quality supplementation and healthy lifestyle habits, including exercise and meditation.