NAC Reduces Gambling Addiction

A preliminary study conducted at the University of Minnesota shows that pathological gamblers are significantly helped by the antioxidant nutrient N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC).  The study was conducted based on the notion that NAC modulates glutamate, a neurologic compound that can become an excitotoxin under various circumstances and lead to abnormal brain activation.

This information lends credence to the emerging body of science that shows pleasure desire to be the root of addiction, whether to food, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, or gambling.  In essence, the brain starts to heat up and a feeling of pain occurs – then pleasure stimulus is used to cool off the pain.  We now know the pain is due to surplus glutamate, and taking an antioxidant like NAC boosts cellular glutathione, in turn boosting the brain’s ability to tolerate nerve pain in the form of excess glutamate, and thus there is less desire for the addiction. 

I have known this for years and have used antioxidants to help people stay above this problem.  Vitamin C and R Alpha Lipoic Acid work synergistically with NAC to boost glutathione.  Additionally, nutrients that provide direct nerve energy while at the same time providing nerve antioxidants are especially helpful for reducing unwanted tendencies.  I have used Activator Plus to assist in this regards for many years.