Drugs And The Brain
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What are some drugs with high dependence liability?
Cocaine, heroin and nicotine
What are some drugs with lower dependence liability?
Alcohol, cannabis, ecstasy and amphetamines
What do all drugs have in common?
Promote the release of dopamine in certain brain regions
How does alcohol act on the brain?
It dampens down excitatory messages and promote inhibition of neural activity
How does nicotine act on the brain?
It acts on brain receptors that normally recognise the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which tends to activate natural alerting mechanisms in the brain
How does cannabis act on the brain?
It acts on natural system in the brain that controls muscles and regulate pain sensitivity
What does taking cannabis feel like?
It can be pleasurable and relaxing and cause a dream-like state in which the perception of sounds, colours and time is subtly altered
What are some examples of amphetamines?
Dexedrine, speed and ecstasy
How do amphetamines act on the brain?
They cause the release of two naturally occurring neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin
What does serotonin do?
Cause a sense of well-being and dream-like state that can include hallucinations
What do Dexedrine and speed promote the release of?
Dopamine
What do ecstasy promote the release of?
Serotonin
What is the negative impact of Ecstasy?
Prolonged and perhaps permanent reduction of serotonin cells
What is the negative impact of Dexedrine and Speed?
Frightening schizophrenia-like psychosis
What is Heroein
A man-made chemical derivative of plant, morphine
How does heroin act on the brain?
It makes the brain employ endorphins
What do heroin make you feel?
Immediate pleasurable sensation, due to the effect of endorphins on reward mechanisms
What are the negative effects of heroin?
It suppresses breathing reflexes
How does cocaine act on the brain?
It makes more dopamine and serotonin available in the brain
What is the negative effects of being intoxicated by cocaine?
Becoming violent and aggressive