Brain neurochemistry as an explanation of nicotine addiction

Question 1

how is a nicotine is addictive according to the biological explanation

Answer 1

nicotine is addictive because it activates pleasure centres through the release of dopamine

Question 2

how many ways is the pleasure centre activated after smoking

Answer 2

3

Question 3

how does nicotine release dopamine by producing…?

Answer 3

nicotine stimulates the production of glutamate which increases the amount of dopamine released

Question 4

how does nicotine release dopamine by stimulating…?

Answer 4

nicotine enters the bloodstream stimulating the nicotine receptors in the ventral tegmental area.
Stimulates nucleus accumbens releasing dopamine creating a sense of reward and pleasure

Question 5

how does nicotine release dopamine by preventing…?

Answer 5

nicotine inhibits the action of GABA meaning that the firing of neurons and production of dopamine lasts longer.

Question 6

Fill the gap:
Due to __ working in a reinforcing way , this would cause the __ of ___

Answer 6

due to DOPAMINE working in a reinforcing way, this owuld cause the ONSET of ADDICTION

Question 7

how is nicotine addiction maintained according to biological explanation

Answer 7

the effect of nicotine only lasts a few minutes this creates a need to continue smoking to get the ‘rush’

continued activation leads to desensitisation at synapses resulting in tolerance and dependance developing, increased amount of nicotine intake leading to an addiction.

As the intake increases, so does the tolerance thus encouraging the maintenance of the addiction.

Question 8

how does relapse occur for nicotine addiction according to biological explanation

Answer 8

the absence of neurotransmission causes the person to suffer withdrawal symptoms.
when the brain is no longer receiving the heightened levels of neurotransmitters the body does not function normally (withdrawal symptoms)

Question 9

strength of biological explanation of addiction

Answer 9

P: one strength of the biological explanation of nicotine addiction is that it is supported by DiFranzas research
E: Difranza found that 25% of p.t experienced withdrawal symptoms after smoking 5 cigarettes
E: This demonstrates tolerance is built quickly for smoking addiction suggesting dopamines role in maintaining smoking
L: Therefore, this increases the validity of the biological explanation as it suggests that dopamine must play a role in nicotine addiction

Question 10

weakness of biological explanation of addiction