Latest news with #VilniusUniversity
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
The brain's betrayal: unpacking addiction's rewiring and the rocky road to recovery
Recovery from addiction requires more than just willpower; it necessitates a desire for change and a supportive environment. Image: Pexels. In a comprehensive study encompassing over 25 years of research, scientists at Vilnius University's Life Sciences Centre have provided groundbreaking insights into the biological foundations of addiction. Led by Professor Valentina Vengelienė, the research underscores addiction as a brain disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, offering essential perspectives on why overcoming addiction is a hard journey for many. At the core of the findings is the alarming way psychoactive substances, such as opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, hijack the brain's natural reward system, overriding behavioural control and inducing changes within neural networks that cannot simply be reversed by willpower alone. "When addiction develops, the brain undergoes irreversible changes that lead to a loss of behavioural control," Vengelienė warns. "Addiction can be identified through at least three prominent symptoms, including an intense craving for the substance, difficulties in abstaining and neglect of social responsibilities." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Opioids, cocaine and nicotine are the substances that most quickly lead to addiction. Valentina Vengelienė, Professor from the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (VU), warns that it is best not to dabble with these substances at all. Image: Supplied. Why do people consistently seek out pleasurable experiences? Vengelienė points out that an intrinsic drive to enjoy pleasurable moments is not unique to humans, but also prevalent in various animal species. However, humans benefit from a more permissive lifestyle, free from the constant needs of survival, which can make indulging in substances intoxicatingly tempting. "The modern human doesn't need to spend hours searching for food or evading threats, which allows indulgence in substances," she explained. The research delves into the mechanics of how the brain links specific cues, sights, sounds or smells with memories of rewards or dangers. These connections can provoke cravings, even when one isn't consciously seeking a substance. "The brain's reward system is built to reinforce behaviours necessary for survival," said Vengelienė, highlighting how neurotransmitters like dopamine play a pivotal role in creating strong associations for repeating certain actions. She stresses that psychoactive substances activate the brain's reward centres in a way that vastly exceeds natural stimuli, making them incredibly potent. "Natural rewards control us, which is why sticking to a diet is a herculean task for many. For those with a genetic predisposition to addiction, this challenge becomes infinitely harder," she shares. In essence, the pleasurable feelings associated with substances can overpower instincts of self-preservation, distancing individuals from the realities of health risks and social responsibilities. The research indicates a delicate balance between genetics and environmental factors in determining whether an individual will develop an addiction, with both factors contributing roughly 50% to the risk. Vengelienė notes that an individual's family history with substance use and the trauma experienced during childhood could potentially influence the likelihood of developing a dependency. "Even exposure in the womb can affect the neural pathways that govern behaviour," she adds. Despite the awareness that not everyone who tries psychoactive substances becomes addicted, Vengelienė cautions against experimentation. "Approximately 10 to 15% of individuals who experiment with drugs find themselves developing an addiction," she says, highlighting the risks even in casual experimentation. Recognising addiction involves assessing behavioural patterns such as a loss of control, inability to delay usage, and a loss of interest in usual activities. Vengelienė indicates that long-term substance abuse leads to physical changes in the brain, particularly in areas that govern decision-making. "These structural changes compromise an individual's ability to control their addiction and navigate the repercussions of substance use," she adds She states that overcoming addiction isn't solely about willpower. It requires a willingness to seek help and engage in a comprehensive recovery strategy that integrates social support. "Social interaction serves as a crucial natural reward that can, under certain circumstances, outweigh the gains provided by addictive substances." However, she urges that a radical lifestyle change is paramount for recovery. "The established routine of pursuing substances becomes ingrained, fundamentally altering brain structure and neural networks." Transforming such behaviours within the same environment is challenging, making it vital for individuals to seek supportive networks and constructive changes in their lives.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Forbes
Exploring The 'New' Europe — Lithuania's Golden Triangle
The lakes and countryside of Trakai Historical National Park. Tired of the old Europe? Why not try something totally new — like the 'Golden Triangle' of southern Lithuania — a region that includes the nation's two largest cities, mega-popular spa town, and stunning national park. Whether you're in a tour group or exploring on your own with a rental car, the triangular route between the three destinations is around 150 miles (250 km) or roughly three and a half hours total driving time. Lithuania's Golden Triangle offers something for just about anyone who digs European summer vacations: Historic buildings and churches, art and architecture, outdoor adventures, great bars and even Michelin-star restaurants. For those who want to drive themselves, weeklong rentals at Vilnius Airport range from $160 for a Volkswagen Polo or other economy car and $190 for a Toyota Yarus compact SUV to around $500 for a BMW 5 Series or Audi Q5 luxury SUV. The roads are superb, especially the multi-lane A1 motorway between Vilnius and Kaunas. And unleaded gas is currently running at just over $6 per gallon (Euro 1.45 per liter). Here are some of the top things that everyone should do along the way: Panoramic view of old and new Vilnius from the castle ramparts at the top of Gediminas' Hill. With half a dozen major universities, tens of thousands of college students and a reputation for scholarship and erudite thinking that stretches back nearly 500 years, Vilnius is sometimes called the Athens of the North. You're probably passing the baroque and renaissance buildings of Vilnius University in the old town on your way to the city's must-see places and activities. Start by summiting Gediminas' Hill, where the castle walls and watch tower provide a bird's eye view of the sprawling city, the River Neris dividing the red-roofed old town from ultra-modern buildings on the north bank. You can hike the hill for free or ride the funicular for a small fee. Hang out in the funky Užupis neighborhood, which tongue-in-cheekly declared itself an independent republic in 1997. Renowned for its oddball outdoor artworks, cool cafes and bohemian lifestyle, the district features a faux border patrol post that's actually a souvenir shop. Browse the MO Museum of modern art, opened in 2018 inside a stunning contemporary structure that revolves around a swirling spiral staircase. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum is known for its edgy exhibitions, like a recent one that examined sexuality in Lithuania during Soviet days. Take a time trip back to the USSR on a guided tour of the notorious Lukiškės Prison, where the tsar's henchmen and later the KGB incarcerated and tortured dissents and other political prisoners. Afterward catch live music or sip craft beer at the outdoor bar that now graces the main prison yard. Stimulate your taste buds at the newly crowned Michelin star restaurants in the old town. At Nineteen18 (named after the year that Lithuania gained its independence from tsarist Russia), the 10-dish set menu comes with colorful explanations from owner/chef Andrius Kubilius about how he created the signature dishes. MO Museum of modern art in Vilnius. As the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania — one of Europe's largest and most powerful nations during the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance — Kaunas is suffused with history. With its stout bastions and menacing defense towers, Kaunas Castle is the epitome of a medieval citadel. During the warmer months, the castle amphitheater presents open-air plays, concerts, festivals, and other special events. Stroll the Laisves Aleja and Vilniaus gatvė, two tree-lined avenues through the city center transformed into popular pedestrian-only zones. Flanked by numerous restaurants and cafes, the thoroughfares stretch between the domed 19th-century Church of St. Michael the Archangel and the elegant 16th-century Kaunas Town Hall. It's worth ducking down a side street to view the elaborate Gothic façade on the House of Perkūnas. Kaunus boasts its own panoramic lookout point — the observation deck at the top of Aleksotas Hill on the Nemunas River from the old town. Once again, there's a choice of walking or riding the ancient funicular to the summit. Perhaps more so than the capital, Kaunas was a fulcrum of modern art. Housed inside a classic Art Deco building, the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum displays the work of its namesake abstract master as well as other modern painters, sculptors, musicians, photographers and folk artists. The Devil's Museum, a satellite of the main collection, has amassed more than 3,000 depictions of demons, evil spirits and incubus from around the world. Lithuania's thriving spa scene ranges from ultra-modern to vintage Soviet-era sanitariums. The second side of the Golden Triangle is an hour-long drive to Birštonas, an old spa town tucked into the Baltic woods. Among the half dozen wellness resorts is the upscale Vytautas Mineral Spa, which offers modern Scandinavian-style rooms and a barrage of health and beauty treatments from massages, facials to water aerobics and traditional peat mud wraps. Once the private hunting estate of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, the Birštonas Forest offers numerous hiking trails, including one that leads to the Birštonas Observation Tower. Those who conquer the 300 steps to the summit are rewarded with a bird's-eye-view of the Nemunas River as it snakes through heavily wooded Nemunas Loops Regional Park. The third and final side of the triangle is a cruise along the A16 Highway through bucolic countryside to Vilnius. Yet there's the possibility of a final stop along the way — Trakai Historical National Park — which revolves around a majestic 14th-century island castle. A long, wooden bridge takes visitors from the mainland to the castle, but you can also view the bastions on scenic boat trips that depart from Trakai village. The picturesque peninsular town is also home to one of Lithuania's most intriguing eating experiences, the cuisine of the ethnic minority Karaim people served at Restaurant Kybynlar. If you're spending the night at one of Trakai's many boutique hotels or guest houses, be sure to rise early the next morning for a hot-air balloon flight over the lakes, woods and castle before the half-hour drive back to Vilnius. Traditional meat pie at Restaurant Kybynlar in Trakai village.
