drug addiction

Question 1

x4 signs of addiction

Answer 1

cravings, financial problems, withdrawal symptoms, unhealthy relationships

Question 2

what is the reward pathway?

Answer 2

sensitive to GABA and dopamine as whenever we do something pleasurable these chemicals are released activating this area, making us enjoy them

Question 3

how do drugs work?

Answer 3

change hoe neurotransmitters work and increase dopamine levels

Question 4

what is withdrawal?

Answer 4

symptoms when you abruptly stop taking drugs e.g. anxiety and vomiting

Question 5

what is desensitisation?

Answer 5

receptor has been continuously stimulated so you need to take more and more drugs

Question 6

how cocaine affects synaptic transmission

Answer 6

-blocks reuptake of NT like dopamine so there is an excess causing the addiction to constantly want to feel pleasure and happiness

Question 7

how heroin affects synaptic transmission

Answer 7

• when opioids bind to opiod specific receptors they are able to decrease the body’s perception of pain whilst increasing mood with dopamine levels

Question 8

how nicotine affects synaptic transmission

Answer 8

• nicotine is shaped similar to acetylcholine so can bind to the same receptors so there becomes an excess - this causes the brain to think there is too much so releases less meaning nicotine is needed for brain functioning

Question 9

how alcohol affects synaptic transmission

Answer 9

-suppresses release of glutamate, and increases GABA and dopamine