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What is the best way to recover your brain, from drug use?

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London2012

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I used drugs recreationally for about 4 years, from aged 16-20.

The drugs I used were as follows:

Cannabis 2-3 times a week for about 2 years.

Opiates (Vicodin/Oxycotin), about one time every 1-2 months, for about 2 years

Xanax (only tried 1 time)

Alcohol (just a few times, maybe 15 times in total) did it once in a blue moon.

I am now 22, I have not touched anything for about 2-3 years and been completely sober and fear I probably damaged my brain. I am a health nut now and only eat organic, cannot stand the smell or sight of drugs, and am in deep regret over the brain damage I might have caused.


My life has completely changed and I am often in deep regret of the past drug use I did, because that is not my personality type at all and quite frankly I am not sure what made me do them.

What are some things I can do to possibly improve my mental health, and the damage I did in terms of natural methods? I would be willing to try anything to recoup some of the brain damage I did, but I want to do this naturally, like with the use of certain foods or organic means.

I am not a big fan of some supplements and nootropics etc,

I don't really believe in them, and believe you can get the same if not better nutrition from organic food sources, but I just need some direction as to what to try.

Are there possible foods I can eat, or exercises I can do to reverse the brain damage from drug use? Should I start eating a lot of nuts and cashews? etc?


 
It sounds like you need to relax a bit about your past drug use.

There have been people who have used way more and have seen success in their lives.

Worrying about what damage may have been caused is pointless and will only hold you back. If you have been sober for 2-3 years then you have already recovered, for the most part, from the little amounts of drugs you did do.


Congratulations on being sober, focus on moving forward and where you are going rather than whether or not there may have been an accident miles behind you.

If you are eating healthy and exercising then you are already getting everything your body needs. Perhaps it is something greater that you need to strive for, like education or some sort of goal.
 
It's a good question, but in order to cause brain damage I believe oxygen has to stop its natural way to the brain for a moment and this apparently only happens with stronger drugs, on specific doses.

The same would probably apply for a stroke or heart problems.
 
Mafioso said:
It sounds like you need to relax a bit about your past drug use.

There have been people who have used way more and have seen success in their lives.

Worrying about what damage may have been caused is pointless and will only hold you back. If you have been sober for 2-3 years then you have already recovered, for the most part, from the little amounts of drugs you did do.


Congratulations on being sober, focus on moving forward and where you are going rather than whether or not there may have been an accident miles behind you.

If you are eating healthy and exercising then you are already getting everything your body needs. Perhaps it is something greater that you need to strive for, like education or some sort of goal.
Click to expand...

this- continue to challenge your brain by reading, writing, crosswords, math, chess, poker, learn to play an instrument or some other art.
 
OP, I think you need to calm a bit mate, you've hardly used anything compared to most people I know, and I don't know any big time druggies. Alcohol and Xanax that few times will have zero effect. You only smoked weed a couple times a week which isn't loads, so that probably won't have had any noticeable effect either. Opiates once every couple months is also fine, they're pretty weak drugs you've taken. Don't worry :)
 
Stress does a lot more harm then the small amount of drugs you did.

From how I interpret your personality I think Yoga, mindfulness and meditation would definitely fit your lifestyle, the positive effects on your mind and body are huge.
You'l feel a lot less stressed, you'll be happier, and you'll gain understanding.

In short, it'll has full potential to heal your mind and soul.
 
Damn OP quit being so hard on yourself. Just focus on what you're doing now and quit thinking about the past. You can't change the past, you can only help shape your present and future.

The booze was the worst thing you did.

Good luck
 
Yeah, that's exactly it, why waste any time thinking about past mistakes, I used to do the same thing until the day I realized it has absolutely no benefits, and I'm 100% sure there's no real brain damage to speak off in the first place, I did a lot of bad things for my brain but I like to think I'm still fine.

Ironically psilocybin stimulates growth of new braincells though.
 
Sigmond said:
this- continue to challenge your brain by reading, writing, crosswords, math, chess, poker, learn to play an instrument or some other art.
Click to expand...

Or learn another language. Your mind works fast when you think in 2 or more languages. The thinking logic changes and you need to adapt yourself unconsciously. Give it a try -- it may even help you eventually. ;)
 
I think you're confusing the symptom with the cause. There must've been a reason you first started using drugs in the first place, right? Why was that? Depression? Anxiety? Boredom? Curiosity? Everyone has a reason they use drugs for recreational purposes. If you're dissatisfied with your life as it stands today, it's probably for the same reasons that led you to drugs.
 
I think counseling would be a good start. It seems your regrets are causing you more mental health damage than any drug you've taken. Go to see your doctor and request a referral to a councilor (maybe even a drug councilor)?
 
Wow, 22 and that's what you've done, and where you are now? I'd give my left nut.

Seriously, you are entering the prime of your life and seem to be physically doing great. Try to relax a little, you probably don't have brain damage at all. Keep getting exercise and eating right, and do whatever you deem to be productive. Maybe try to understand why you began using drugs at all in the first place.

In other words, everything everyone else said. But really, you're doing well, don't be so hard on yourself.
 
If you have questions about your brain and past drug use, or are worried about things see a medical professional and ask them these questions.

It's not a bad thing to do, and you will not get into legal trouble, and it will put you at ease.

As everyone else posted don't be so hard on yourself or beat yourself up.

You seem to be doing very well as there are people who have used all of the drugs you listed for decades starting from a very young age, and continue to use them and are not going to stop anytime soon who are worse off.
 
yeah dude forreal lol, you've taken less than the patients who are even prescribed those medicines take, so think about it why would doctors write scripts that had dosage schedules with potential brain damage as a side effect.

you're good man..
 
The best way for me to help my brain is nature and out on the lake trying to fish lol
your young and I'm no doc but I highly doubt your brain was hurt. Our bodies have an amazing way of recovering. A few years ago I was in an explosion. Skull cracked and orbital bone demolished. Add a lot of drugs to that. A couple years later(now) I'm a week clean and my brain is still there. My memory is still filled with gaps but considering I was almost dead and a severe head injury my brain slowly healed itself. Your young and you'll be fine. Just please stop hurting yourself with drugs. It's really not worth it. Your brain is fine now but years of bad drugs will eventually take its tole. Cliche saying but quit while your ahead��
 
OMFG, so that is what happened to you. I'm so sorry to hear about that, it truly is a testament to the strength of the human body and mind (as one organic entity)! This isn't an excuse to go out and fuck shit up (or in your case, get into accidents that results in some horrible result), but rest assured you'll survive if you do make healthy choices and emphasize self care and recovery in your life in whatever ways you feel work for you.
 
The best way to recover from drug usage is abstinence from drugs, plus time, plus a healthy, well-balanced diet, plenty of restful sleep, plenty of sunlight, and maybe some exercise. If you're really bad off, you may need an antipsychotic. To be perfectly honest, you really didn't use very many drugs or even very many especially hard ones, and any brain damage you may have incurred has almost assuredly been reversed after 2 to 3 years of abstinence. As far as the diet, try to eat one regular meal and day and two smaller, snack like meals for your other meals of the day. Remember, you're body needs a balance of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, water, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and table salt to stay healthy / function properly. I would recommend taking a multivitamin, but recent studies have shown them not to be beneficial and possibly even damaging if they contain alpha-d-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E that should only be taken if the label says, "mixed natural tocopherols") and Vitamin A. Both vitamin A and E supplementation is associated with a shorter life span for some reason. If you do decided to take a multivitamin, don't do it everyday. On top of all that, don't smoke and avoid any and all prescription drugs as much as is feasible. Doing these things will not guarantee you a long life necessarily, but they certainly won't hurt in achieving that goal.
 
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Time, lots of time, away from active drug use is the best thing in terms of giving the brain time to heal. That plus a healthy diet, exercise and getting enough rest are the most useful tools in helping the brain heal. If you must continue using any drugs, use ones that put less stress on the body and mind, such as cannabis instead of alcohol and LSD instead of MDMA.
 
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