Individual Reflection: 20-Time

Individual Reflection

When the topic of 20-time came up in class and we watched a video on inspiration I knew I wanted to do something that would help people. My idea sacked one day at a volunteering organization called the Grateful Garment Project where victims of sexual assault are given backpacks full of clothing for 3 days, books and movies for entertainment when in the hospital, and a flashlight to feel secure and in control. What they are doing is amazing, but still victims of sexual assault are 6.2 times more likely to develop PTSD, 13.4 times more likely to develop an alcohol problem, and 26 more likely to develop a drug abuse problem. Doctors are able to give antidepressants and certain therapy for alcohol or drug abuse but they all have sign effects, or they may react to the person's body is a different way. I wanted to use my interest in neuroscience and understand how the brain is affected when drugs are taken and also how a person can physically feel happier after such a horrible event so that drugs or alcohol will not be needed. As I began my 20 times, I realized that this could be used for more than the just healing of the brain but also empowerment of the brain and the endocrine system. 

My initial plan was to create a long line of candles and use natural oils and scents so that neurotransmitters could run through the brain. Those candles would be accompanied by soaps and coloring books that are provided by the GGP to create a care package for those victimized. That care package is not the case anymore. As I began to research what happens when people have anxiety, depression, and or PTSD, I found that the main ingredient that is used are SSRI’s in the drug perceptions. So I found foods that have natural SSRI’s so that serotonin will flood the synapse between neurons and decrease depression. As for anxiety, anxiety is a hyperactive amygdala because the amygdala is where emotions and fears are processed in the brain. The cure for anxiety is to put GABA in the brain so that it can bind to the amygdala to prevent hypertension. So I found foods that have natural GABA in them. To combine all of these foods and research I decided to create a booklet to give in the backpacks or just to give to people. They will include smoothie recipes for either depression or anxiety/PTSD.  The booklet will also include a list of natural oil scenes that can be used for different moods and a few facts about what drugs and alcohol will do if taken with anxiety or depression. 

Reading my initial thought and then my product, I definitely had some hardships. One was that drugs are 10x stronger than any oil scent or natural transmitter which is why I went t o smoothies because there can be a loaded amount of SSRI’s in the smoothies to balance the ratio from drugs to smoothie. That put in a road block because I originally did not know how to handle the corruption of drugs on the brain with simple neurotransmitters that had little effect. What I learned besides the science portion was that the brain is very fragile and should be treated with care. Even if that care is positive reinforcement or working out to get naturally secreted endorphins through the brain, it all will help and will make a persons' health change for good. Many people come in to talk about how drugs affect people, but I never knew the real consequence until now and how the science behind depression from drugs is real. Addiction is physical and mental now and I would love to help as many people as I can who suffer. If I could do this project over again I would trial on people who suffer from anxiety or depression and see what the effects are and whether or not they help. I would also try and talk to the manager of the GGP to see if my project would be able to help in any way.

Though I wish I could talk to the manager of the GGP during my 20 projects, I would love to extend this project and see if I would be able to make this a real medication for therapists, even though that is a long shot. Also, since I am very intrigued in cures for mental health, I may continue my research in college to see if a professor would work with me to figure out more natural ways to cure mental health. 

As for my evaluation, I believe that I carried through with my goals even if they changed over time, and I feel that my product can make a difference in someone's life. Because of that, I would give myself an A because I worked productively each class period and also spent time on it outside of class because I wanted to learn more and do more. All of my work is done on a google doc and shared all of my notes and ideas along with links to tutorials I used to make the lavender candle that can calm down a person. 

FINAL PRODUCT

TED TALK
1. Begin talking about what the GGP is and how it inspired my to do this for my 20-time
2. talk about the medical reasons for anxiety and depression
3. say how my smoothies will help
4. talk about my future endevors with this project.