Drugs

Question 1

Define addiction

Answer 1

A state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by repeated consumption of a drug, natural or synthetic

Question 2

Give 4 signs of drug addiction

Answer 2

• Cravings
• Physical dependence
• Tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms

Question 3

Define psychoactive substance

Answer 3

A chemical which affects the CNS and causes changes usually by altering chemicals

Question 4

What is the reward pathway?

Answer 4

Part of the brain which is sensitive to dopamine, GABA and glutamate

Question 5

Define withdrawal

Answer 5

Symptoms that occur upon the discontinuation or decrease in the intake of medications or recreational drugs

Question 6

How did Olds and Milner test addictions?

Answer 6

• Placed an electrical wire in a rat’s reward centre
• When it pressed a lever, it would receive a slight shock
• Given other rewards such as food and female rats, however it was only interested in pressing the lever

Question 7

What do drugs do to neurotransmitters?

Answer 7

Usually increase or decrease them

Question 8

How do drugs affect the synapses?

Answer 8

They block the reuptake of dopamine so it remains in the synapses

Question 9

Why do drugs make people feel depressed when they no longer have them in their system?

Answer 9

Because since the dopamine is trapped within the synapses, the body thinks it no longer has to produce as much natural dopamine so the person suffers a dopamine deficiency

Question 10

What is desensitisation?

Answer 10

Diminished responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated exposure to it (caused by down regulation)

Question 11

How does heroin work within the body?

Answer 11

• Enzymes convert it into morphine

- This causes it to provide pain relief and feeling of euphoria

Question 12

Which 3 main physical effects does heroin have on the body?

Answer 12

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heavy limbs

Question 13

Which receptors does heroin bind itself to and what effect does this have?

Answer 13

• Opiod receptors

- Inhibits the activation of GABA which allows dopamine to flood the synaptic gaps

Question 14

Give 4 withdrawal symptoms of heroin

Answer 14

• Muscle pain
• Insomnia
• Cold flashes
• Restlessness

Question 15

Which 2 neurotransmitters does alcohol increase the amount of?

Answer 15

GABA and dopamine

Question 16

What effect does alcohol have on the frontal lobe?

Answer 16

Causes depression - less control over motor skills

Question 17

Which 2 neurotransmitters does alcohol decrease the amount of?

Answer 17

Glutamate and serotonin

Question 18

How does nicotine work?

Answer 18

It binds to acetylcholine receptors and causes other neurons to stimulate more quickly

Question 19

What 3 effects does nicotine have on the body?

Answer 19

• Lack of concentration
• Increased alertness
• Less oxygen in the blood

Question 20

How does cocaine work?

Answer 20

It causes feelings of euphoria by producing dopamine and blocks the reuptake of dopamine

Question 21

Which 3 neurotransmitters does cocaine stimulate the release of?

Answer 21

Dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin

Question 22

Define agonist

Answer 22

A substance that acts like another and stimulates neural action (e.g. nicotine in acetylcholine receptors)

Question 23

Define depressant

Answer 23

A drug which reduces the synaptic ability to work effectively, slowing down brain activity

Question 24

Define endorphin

Answer 24

Group of hormones in the brain that bind to opioid receptors, involved in pain and emotiond