Glutamate has many different roles, but is particularly important in regulating brain function — its neurotransmitter system supports cognition, learning and memory. https://www.promisesbehavioralhealth.com/addiction-recovery-blog/addiction-lights-brain-dopamine-neurotransmitters-101/
How Addiction and Dopamine Neurotransmitters are Related
“The mechanism by which our brain’s reward center regulates neurotransmitters undergoes a change when we drink alcohol or take certain drugs, and this is how these chemicals can play a role in addiction. In most people, there is a temporary shift in neurotransmitter levels after we have a drink or other substance, but those levels soon shift back to normal after we metabolize it. In other people, the brain’s response to a change or super-charged surge of neurotransmitters brought on by alcohol or other drugs catalyzes a response from the brain’s reward center that says, “I have to have some more of that!” This same response can occur with addictive behaviors like gambling, where a person feels a rush of excitement with the anticipation of winning (even when they don’t win).”
“For people who have a predisposition for addiction, the circuitry in the brain’s reward center changes. Addiction and dopamine neurotransmitters result in a “reward” to certain substances or stimuli. Over time and with repeated exposure, the person begins to crave more of the substance or activity that produces the positive feelings or relief from negative feelings. But the brain is just one part of the story. Addiction has many contributing factors — from genetics (addiction can run in families) to socioeconomic status, one’s environment and any pre-existing mental health disorders. (For example, we know there is a high prevalence of depression, trauma and other problems among drug users.) All of these elements play a role in how we respond to alterations in neurotransmitters levels.”
The following is a summary of how different substances affect us:
“Let us assume that the stage is set for addiction. The addiction and the dopamine neurotransmitters, as well as other factors, motivate a person to take, continue taking, and become dependent upon a drink or drug. Here’s how different substances affect the brain and its neurotransmitters
· Alcohol is thought to affect several neurotransmitter systems, including those for GABA, glutamate, serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, resulting in either a sedative or an excitatory effect, depending on extent of use.
· Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Rivotril) impact GABA, resulting in a sedative effect.
I would like to add that benzos occupy the GABA receptors so that the body produces less and less of its own GABA. When GABA is low, the body craves sugary and fatty foods, nicotine and alcohol, all of which raise GABA levels. The problem with alcohol and sugar (after the short-term calming effect) is that their metabolism produces excessive acids - free radicals - and that over-stimulates the glutamate release, causing jitters and explosive energy down the line because there is not enough natural GABA (or magnesium that can help to produce more GABA. Magnesium is the Rolls Royce choice to feed the body what is needed.) The metabolism of sugars also consumes huge amounts of magnesium and lowers magnesium stores, which cause the release of more stress hormones, and the cycle continues to worsen.