Effect of recreational drugs Flashcards
What are recreational drugs?
Drugs are biochemicals that have specific effects on the functioning of the body’s system.Drugs may be used for physical? purposes or psychological purposes. Drugs for psychological treatments are called “psychoative” and affect transmission in the Central Nervous System (CNS), altering an individual’s mental processes. A distinction is made between using such drugs for medical purposes and using drugs for enjoyment or leisure purposes.
What do recreational drugs include?
Simulants, sedatives, hallucinogens and opiods.
What type of drug is cocaine?
Stimulant
Which neurotransmitter does cocaine impact the most?
Dopamine
Do all recreational drugs increase dopamine release directly or indirectly?
Both- surprise shawtyyyyyy
What does the “reward centre” activate?
A sense of pleasure
What does cocaine block?
Blocks the reuptake of dopamine by binding with dopamine transporter molecules
What are the roles of dopamine transporter molecules?
These are responsible for recycling dopamine back into the neuron that produced it.
What does the surplus quantities of dopamine cause?
Euphoric high
What are the long term effects of cocaine?
After repeated use of cocaine, dopamine receptors become downregulated. That is, fewer receptors are active- some are damaged and shut down and the quantity of dopamine produced declines. This explains withdrawal, craving for the drug and the higher doses needed to get the same effect (tolerance).
What affect does heroin have on the CNS?
A depressent effect
What affect does heroin have on neurotransmitters?
Slows down the CNS activity including the activity of neurons involved in pain
Why are there receptors for heroin/morphine?
The CNS has its own opiod system.
What are the bodies natural painkillers?
Endorphins and enkephalins
What are the 2 types of drugs?
Antagonist and agonist
Why is heroin an agonist drug?
It mimics the action of another natural biochemical (endorphins)
Why is Naloxone an antagonist drug?
As it blocks opiate receptors.
What are the long term effects of herorin?
The repeated heroin use on neural transmission include downregulation. Regular use of heroin over time means that opiod receptors on postsynaptic neurons are constantly binding with morphine molecules, which desensitises them to the effect of the drug. This is the basis of tolerance.
Which findings support the view that cocaine’s effect is due to the activity of dopamine in the brain’s reward system (using mice)?
Damaging the mesocorticolimbic pathway in mice brains. This means neurons are unable to produce levels of dopamine normally associated with reward. When this is done, the mice then fail to self administer cocaine intravenously. This does not occur when the lesions are performed in other parts of the mouse brain.
How does heroin impact neurotransmission?
Heroin binds to and activates specific receptors in the brain called MORs. When MORs are activated in the reward centre of the brain, they stimulate the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, causing a reinforcement of drug taking behaviour
Serotonin at higher doses
Blocks pain receptors
Increases body with dopamine
Inhibits GABA
How does heroin affect behaviour short term?
Once heroin enters the brain, it is converted to morphine and binds rapidly to opiod receptors. People who use heroin typically report feeling of surge or pleasurabel sensation a “rush”. Rush is usually accompained by a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth and a heavy feeling in the extremities. Nausea, vomiting and sever itching. Drowsy for several hours, mental function is clouded; herat function slows and so does breathing.
How do amphetamines impact neurotransmission?
Increase dopamine levels and regulate the activity of glutamate
AMPH prevents the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopmaine and nerepinphrine
Decreases levels of serotonin
How do amphetemines change behaviour short term?
Increased heart rate and blood pressure- cardiovascular problems
Decreased appetite
Dilated pupils
Feeling of happiness/ power
