Post by SHUGO TAGASHIRA

As Parkinson’s disease is a condition characterised by a gradual decline in dopamine levels, the fundamental principle of treatment is ‘replacing dopamine’. The most fundamental medication is ‘levodopa (L-dopa)’. Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine; however, as dopamine itself has a molecular weight that is too large to cross the blood-brain barrier, it cannot enter the brain as a medication. Instead, it is administered in its smaller precursor form, where it is converted into dopamine by enzymes within the brain, thereby replenishing dopamine levels. Side effects of levodopa include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite; cardiovascular symptoms such as dizziness, orthostatic hypotension and arrhythmia; psychiatric symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations and delusions, depression and insomnia; and drowsiness. It is also known that excessive stimulation of the nervous system by dopamine can lead to a pathological mental state in which inhibitory control is lost. Specifically, this may lead to pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, hypersexuality, binge eating, and explosive aggressive behaviour. This is known as ‘Dopamine Dysregulation Syndrome’ (DDS). It is generally more common in young people; particularly among those who are single, it tends to be difficult to diagnose and treat, as it is hard to ascertain the condition even when the doctor suspects it and attempts to probe the patient. Incidentally, dopamine is also produced when carbohydrates are consumed. The dopamine system is also known as the reward system, and when this circuit is activated, people experience pleasure. This is why it plays a part in the development of carbohydrate addiction. Sensitivity to carbohydrates varies from person to person. Whilst some people feel drowsy after consuming carbohydrates, others experience a mood lift. I believe this difference is solely attributable to variations in constitution (differences in genetic background). Moreover, the world is already awash with carbohydrates. If one goes through life without paying any attention to one’s diet, it will almost certainly consist of a high-carbohydrate diet. So, what if there were young people with a constitution that makes them prone to impulsivity when consuming carbohydrates? Could we not say that the possibility of them becoming involved in impulsive crimes cannot be ruled out? Had they been following a low-carbohydrate diet, or if the diet in society were predominantly low-carbohydrate, they might have been spared from developing this ‘impulsivity’. Whilst it would be difficult to prove a causal link, the harmful effects of carbohydrates are evident in this regard as well. Tagashuu