Drug Addiction Flashcards
What does increasing dopamine cause in drug addiction
Feelings of euphoria
What does alcohol increase
GABA
What does increase in GABA lead to?
Inhibition of neurones (hence slurring, etc.)
What happens to receptors over time when taking drugs
Desensitise - need more to get the euphoria (tolerance)
What happens when you stop taking drugs
Withdrawal = physical response e.g. shaking and feelings of depression due to lack of dopamine
What does cocaine do
Stops reuptake, meaning more dopamine in synapse
What does heroin do
Binds to opioid receptors to cause release of dopamine -> increase in dopamine
What study can explain drug addiction
Olds & Milner = rat w electrode in dopamine pathway connected to lever/button, rats continuously pressed lever to activate dopamine
