Explanations For Nicotine Addiction - Brain Neurochemistry Including The Role Of Dopamine

Question 1

What are the two explanations of nicotine addiction?

Answer 1

Brain neurochemistry including the role of dopamine
Learning theory as applied to smoking bhv

Question 2

Describe how a nicotine addiction starts (3)

Answer 2

• nicotine is inhaled and reaches nicotine receptors in the brain in less than 10 seconds
• this triggers the neurons in the ventral tegmental area to release dopamine
• which travels down a reward pathway called the mesolimbic pathway
• dopamine stimulates D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens, causing pleasure which motivates person to smoke again and therefore start the add bhv
• dopamine also travels down a second reward pathway called the mesocortical pathway
• then stimulates pre frontal cortex which makes person pay attention to the smoking and everything ass so it can be repeated

Question 3

What are the two effects that happen when a person continues to smoke?

Answer 3

There are two cellular changes that can occur in the brain
- Upregulation and downregulation

Question 4

What is meant by upregulation?
(2)

Answer 4

• upregulation occurs when indv hasnt smoked for a period of time and nic receptors become available and sensitive
• leading to withdrawal symptoms which motivate indv to smoke again
• the more you smoke, nic receptors inc therefore more nic is needed to feel same effects leading to tolerance

Question 5

What is meant by downregulation?
(1)

Answer 5

• D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens become less sensitive and reduce in numbers
• this means they dont feel same pleasure from smoking
• so more nicotine is needed to feel pleasure, leading to tolerance

Question 6

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate the brain neurochemistry explanation of nicotine addiction?

Answer 6

RTS by McEvoy - sz smoking bhv
Strength - prac apps
Weakness - biological reductionism