EXAM #1 Flashcards
what is the most common substance that people abuse?
Alcohol is the most common substance
that people abuse, accounting for about
18% of all individuals who have experienced
or are experiencing addiction.
◦ Statistics Canada estimates that as of 2017
approximately ________________% of Canadians
(excluding those living in the territories) aged
12 and older drank heavily.
19.5%
____________% of Albertans have a problematic
relationship with alcohol, and the majority are
individuals between _________and _____yrs old.
19.4% of Albertans have a problematic
relationship with alcohol, and the majority are
individuals between 18 and 49 years old.
What are opioids?
Opioids are a diverse class of moderately strong
painkillers and include drugs such as oxycodone (sold
as OxyContin and Percocet), hydrocodone (sold as
Vicodin and Norco), morphine, and fentanyl.
________________ is by far the strongest of the opioids, up to
100 times stronger than morphine, and even small
amounts can cause overdoses and death.
Fentanyl
Who is especially vulnerable to addiction?
youth are especially vulnerable to
addiction because their brains have not yet
finished developing.
Can addiction develop at any age?
Addiction, whether to cannabis or any other
potentially addictive substance, can develop
at any age.
Individuals who consume cannabis daily have increased chances of what happening?
addiction!
What abuse is greater than ANY OTHER substance abuse?
Prescription abuse!
What are the species of cannabis plants?
Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa
Do we expereince withdrawal after EVERY use?
YES! Your “normal state” becomes increasingly lower as an addict continues using and becomes more dependant.
What does absorption mean?
All drugs are absorbed into your
bloodstream. The speed of absorption is
dependent on the method of
consumption.
________________ are a chemical messengers that are the
communication between neurons
neurotransmitters
______________is one of the key chemicals in the brain that plays a major role in rewards and pleasure
dopamine
What is an example of a neutransmitter?
dopamine
In the brain, how is dopamine involved?
- Motivation
▪ Perception
▪ Attention
▪ Movement
▪ Hormone Release Regulation
Without __________, we would be much less able to
experience joy, pleasure, and contentment.
Without dopamine, we would be much less able to
experience joy, pleasure, and contentment
A nerve cell is called a
neuron!
what is a neuron comprised of?
a dendrite, nucleus, soma,
axon, and axon terminals
where are the messages RECIEVED on the neuron?
thru the dendrites!
where are the messages trasmitted to be received by another neuron?
along the axon toward the axon terminals (buttons)
what is the cell body?
soma! It houses the nucleus!
the _____________determines the DNA (blueprints) of that particular neuron
nucleus
The axon is often covered with a _____________, which insulates the axon to protect and speed up the message
myelin sheath
What is an action potencial?
the electrical impulse, and if they ‘fire’, they become a message that is transmitted between neurons
Where do these transitions occur?
These transmissions occur in a synapse – the space between neurons.
Most of these communications between neurons are ___________ through the release and
reception of neurotransmitters
chemical!
Olds and Milner (Canadian scientists at McGill
University) discovered over 50 years ago that the
reward system can be manipulated to produce
pleasure and eurphoria
what prevents us from achieving permanent bliss?
the balancing mechanisms in our brains!
what is the reward systems purpose?
This system’s purpose is to reward us for
doing the things that keep us – and our
DNA – surviving (eating, having sex,
creating)
can we hijack the rewards system?
We can hijack this system through
substances (prescription or illicit) and
behaviours.
Intentions and outcomes vary, but in all
situations the brain learns and adapts
REWARD system!
is the tendency toward equilibrium and
maintaining a relatively stable internal state
Homeostasis
Drugs can either ______ neurotransmitter uptake or
_________them, depending on their shape - and this is
how they slow down or speed up neural activity
Drugs can either block neurotransmitter uptake or
mimic them, depending on their shape - and this is
how they slow down or speed up neural activity
how does the brain try to bring the body back to homeostasis?
The brain’s response then is to try to return itself to
a regulated and balanced state: by facilitating the
opposite state
The set point is the _____________
homeostatic state
Pleasant and unpleasant experiences
shift us away from the set point and that
the brain counteracts with an
oppisite process
Solomon and Corbit’s opponent process
theory describes
how the brain responds
to both the disruption to homeostasis and
its own adaptation and learning
urge to use a drug in order to relieve the
discomfort of withdrawal
craving
the experience of psychological and physical
effects following the last usage of the drug (detox)
withdrawal
needing more of the drug to produce the same
effects
tolerance
Tolerance, withdrawal, and craving are all consequences of
the b process
The bloodstream distributes the drug
throughout your body. It impacts neural
communication in organs and the brain
differently, depending on the drug type
distribution
The metabolised drugs exit your body via
your digestive system.
execretion
The drug is broken down for easier
elimination. Some of these restructured
molecules have affects on your body as
well.
metabolism
what are some effects of prolonged drug use?
Body: liver and kidney failure.
Respiratory: lung cancer and asthma
cardiovascular: heart failure/disease and collapsed veins.