9. Avoid intoxicants

The dangers of smoking and tobacco use have already been discussed in Chapter One. Here we are concerned with its effects on the brain. Smoking generates thousands of oxidants in your body and delivers heavy metals, notably cadmium, which depletes other minerals essential for brain function, like zinc. 68 Allah commands: { .. And do not throw yourselves into destruction .. ) (Quran 2: 195) Alcohol is another brain enemy. According to Patrick Holford, alcohol depletes your body vitamins and essential fatty acids, affecting your memory and general brain performance. 69 65 Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and A):imed (graded as good). 66 Holford, 2005b. 67 Winston, 2004. 68 Holford, 2005b. 69 Ibid.