effect of recreation drugs Flashcards
what is a drug?
a drug is a chemical you take that alters the way your body functions. a recreational drug is an illegal substance taken for self enjoyment.
why may people take drugs again?
withdrawal symptoms can be really bad
the body may build up a tolerance and therefore larger quantities need to be take for it to have the same effect.
continuous urges to take the drug
what makes drugs addictive?
drugs increase levels of dopamine. dopamine is a neurotransmitter which is released during a pleasurable activity such a sex, as it triggers the reward pathway. due to the drug increasing dopamine the body doesn’t make anymore as there is an excess so people continue to take the drug in order to feel pleasure.
how does alcohol impact the body?
alcohol is a depressant, and increases the action of GABA by inhibiting neurotransmitters. it also stops the breakdown by enzymes of dopamine.
how does cocaine effect the body?
cocaine makes people feel alert, and it does this by increasing levels of dopamine and blocking receptors, causing hyper activation.
how does amphetamines affect the body?
it increases dopamine and nor-adrenaline by blocking re-uptake this causes dopamine to be in the synapse for a prolonged time giving an immense feeling of euphoria.
what did picken and thompson find?
when they did a study to see if cocaine would positively reinforce rats to press a lever, and found that the more cocaine given to the rats the more lever pressing occurred, suggest a need for more cocaine.
what is noradrenaline ?
controls sleeping dreaming and emotions
what is serotonin?
associated with feeling pain and hunger and controls mood.
what is the reward pathway?
This isn’t a literal “path” but it is a route through the brain used by a neurotransmitter called DOPAMINE.
what is dopamine?
DOPAMINE is a neurotransmitter associate with REWARD. It creates feelings of pleasure and a desire to repeat whatever activity you are doing when the dopamine flows.
when does dopamine occur?
Dopamine is generated naturally in the brain when we do activities like eating or drinking
what is an example of a Dopaminergic pathway?
the Mesolimbic pathway - which acts as pleasure centre.
