Endorphins and Recreational Drugs Flashcards
What are endorphins?
They function like neurotransmitters.
How do endorphins act like natural painkillers?
By blocking transmissions of pain signals at the synapse.
What effect do endorphins have on stress and anxiety?
Decreases.
What effects do increased levels of endorphins have on the human body?
- Regulate appetite
- Release sex hormones
- Feeling of euphoria
When is dopamine released?
On engagement of beneficial behaviours. Also reinforces particular behaviour in the reward pathways.
What are examples of neurotransmitter related disorders?
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- GAD
How do agonists work?
By binding to and stimulating receptors mimicking neurotransmitters.
How do antagonists work?
By binding to specific receptors blocking the action of neurotransmitters.
How do other drugs work?
They inhibit the enzymes which degrade neurotransmitters or inhibit re-uptake.
Why are recreational drugs addictive?
They act on the reward pathways.
How is drug tolerance caused?
By repeated use of drugs that act as agonists.
How is drug tolerance caused?
Decrease bothe the number and sensitivity of specific receptors.
