In Ayurveda (Eastern body-mind-soul health philosophy), addictions are tied to an imbalance in the air element. Everything and every one of us is made up of the basic 5 elements: air, ether, water, fire and earth. When one of these elements get out of balance, we get sick. Modern neuroscience overlaps with classic Eastern medicine, although we use different terms in Western science - but it is all the same: the truth is the truth.

Addiction is linked to the air element as it corresponds to our mind.

There is too much nervous energy which leads to an imbalance in our central nervous system. This, in change, causes us to feel disconnected and unbalanced. We are searching through drugs, foods and addictive behaviors in order to feel more grounded - that is the essence of any addiction.

Addiction come in many forms and with many names.

Some more toxic than others. Some quicker to self-destruct than others, whether it is

a shot to kill the pain

a pill to drown the shame

a cut to distract the void

a purge to release the guilt

a binge to numb the hurt

it all remains the same.

We are all wired differently biochemically and temperament trait wise, and require different lifestyle - ways of eating, breathing and living to thrive in this skin we are in.

When we understand how to decode our body type, we understand how to nourish our needs on a basic level. It is very important that we center our lives around aspects that are nourishing to our body, mind and soul, if we seek to thrive beyond recovery from any destructive behavior.

8 Factors That Aggravate The Air Element Aka Central Nervous System in Addiction

Pungent and bitter foods
Dieting/Restricting/Veganism/Raw
Sleeping after 10 PM
Skipping meals/Not eating on time
Fear/Anxiety/Stress
Coffee/Alcohol/Stimulants
Spring and Fall (The energy is increased during these seasons, so pay attention to more grounding activities to counteract)
Shallow breathing; abdominal or alternate nostril breathing is needed to get out of fight or flight state

The key here is to check off the things on above list, that you currently master, and then focus on just one of the steps, that you have not yet integrated into your lifestyle. You only move on to the next focus point, when you have mastered your current focus point.

Everything is of equal importance to build a life, that will nourish your body, mind and soul. We tend to just want to focus on the food or just the exercise or just the sleep - but everything is a part of the puzzle. Because we have a body, and a mind... and a soul. Everything is connected.

Reference: Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice by Sebastian Pole. 2012