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b'Why is addiction so hard to control? Does that mean addiction can\\u2019t be treated? On today\\u2019s episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, Duane talks to Dr. Paul Kaloostian.\\xa0\\nDr. Paul Kaloostian is a neurosurgeon in Los Angeles as well as an author. His books include The Young Neurosurgeon: Lessons from My Patients and two different poetry books, From The Eyes Of A Doctor and My Surgical Cases Told In Poems.\\nAs a neurosurgeon for 17 years now, Dr. Kaloostian has dealt with thousands of cases of people with neurological conditions. Seeing the need for awareness of mental health, he took a poetic approach to his books to make it easier for the world to understand what it\\u2019s like for patients who are going through neurological conditions, some of which are caused or aggravated by addiction.\\xa0\\nOn today\'s episode, he talks about the brain, his patients, and why we do some of the things we do even when we don\'t necessarily want to do them.\\xa0\\nNo one wants to be addicted. But the brain is such a powerful organ that what our brains decide to do is what we do. We don\'t really have that much control. That\\u2019s why addiction is a hard problem to fight and beat. The brain is a powerful organ so once it gets stimulated, it\'s difficult to change. It takes work and energy \\u2013 but it\'s not impossible.\\xa0\\nBecause of Paul\'s compassion for his clients and his appreciation for the vulnerability of his clients to come and seek help, this is an episode you need to listen to. While you may not fully understand what people with neurological conditions are going through until you\\u2019ve gone through the same experience, having the ability to understand these concepts today is a good way to start to develop empathy.\\nIn this episode, you will hear:\\n\\nWhat drew Paul to neurosurgery\\n\\nWhy he took a medical poetic approach in writing his books\\n\\nThe need to show empathy to these patients\\n\\nHow the brain is linked to addiction\\n\\nAreas of the brain responsible for addiction\\n\\nWhy addiction is a pathological condition\\n\\nWhy addiction is so hard to control\\n\\nKey Quotes:\\n[04:30] - "A single cell of the brain has so many different functions within it. It\'s literally a universe within a cell."\\n[06:54] - \\u201cWe only really use about five to 10% of our brains\\u2026 And just imagine if we\'re able to utilize another 10% of our brains, what we would know, and 50% more of our brains, what we would know.\\u201d\\n[12:02] - \\u201cAddiction is a big, big problem, not only in the field I\'m in but just globally, in terms of economic costs, and medical costs and violence that happens."\\n[12:44] - \\u201cAfter a while of doing drugs, alcohol, or smoking, the brain thinks that\'s normal so it makes your body want to stay in that environment.\\u201d\\n[15:08] - "It\'s really the reward part that dominates because people like that high feeling of winning, being happy and super excited. That always will win over any other type of feeling in your brain. That\'s just part of the addiction process.\\u201d\\n[15:54] - "What our brains decide to do is what we do. That\'s why the brain is such a fascinating and critical aspect of our lives."\\n[16:37] - "The brain is very, very powerful. And once the brain gets stimulated, it\'s a powerful organ to change. It takes work and energy. But it\'s not impossible."\\nSupporting Resources:\\nThe Young Neurosurgeon: Lessons from My Patients\\xa0\\nFrom The Eyes Of A Doctor\\nMy Surgical Cases Told In Poems\\nEpisode Credits\\nIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.\\nFind out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'