Psychology of Addiction Midterm 2 Flashcards
2 types of stimulant sympathomimetics
direct and indirect sympathomimetics
what are direct sympathomimetics
Drugs that increase activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) through direct action on adrenergic receptors
- many direct sympathomimetics have medical uses but few have abuse potential
example of direct sympathomimetics
Salbutamol: an adrenergic beta 2 receptor agonist used to treat asthma
What are direct sympathomimetics
drugs that mimic direct sympathomimetics by increasing availability of monoamines (DA, NE, and 5-HT) in the synapse, which can occur through
1. increased NT release
2. Blocking NT reuptake
3. blocking NT metabolism
Example of indirect sympathomimetics
occur through 5 different DA receptors, 2 families of NE receptors, and 7 families of 5-HT receptors
examples include cocaine and amphetamine
How does cocaine lead to an increase of DA release
Cocaine will block reuptake by occupying DA transporters
How does amphetamine lead to increase in DA release?
Amphetamine increases DA release, creates more vesicles containing DA for release
What are non-sympathomimetic stimulants
drugs with stimulant properties that operate through other mechanisms
Examples of non-sympathomimetic stimulants
Caffeine - blocks adenosine receptors (by binding to them); adenosine normally inhibits DA and glutamate activity
Nicotine - binds to acetylcholine receptors, and mimics actions of acetylcholine; it raises DA, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels
What system do CNS stimulants induce arousal in
Sympathetic nervous system
what mediates release of DA in the mesolimbic system
Psychostimulant (reward) mediates DA release regardless of specific mechanisms
what mediates locomotor effects
mediated by nigrostriatal pathway
what plant is cocaine derived from
Erythroxylon coca, plant from South America (argentina, bolivia, colombia, ecuador, peru)
earliest mention of using cocaine leaves for anti-fatigue properties
early as 3000 BC and maybe even 8000 BC
how did spanish colonists use cocaine leaves
given to slaves to enhance/sustain performance in silver mines
What famous drink used cocaine and during what time period was this used
Coca-cola; from 1891-1903
What act restricted cocaine for medical use only in 1914
Harrison Anti-Narcotic Act
- outlawed possession, use, and distribution for anything outside medical use in the US
Order of likelihood of addiction given any use within a year (greatest likelihood of addiction first)
Heroin, Cocaine, analgesics, marijuana, stimulants, and alcohol
How does intranasal cocaine use affect the human body over time?
destroys mucus membranes and perforate the palate
What is freebasing and when was it popular
Freebasing was popular from late 70s to mid 80s and is a purified form of cocaine w/ higher melting point than powdered cocaine and can be smoked creating a quicker, more intense high
How is freebase created
mix powdered cocaine w/ ammonia and product extracted using ether creates the freebase pure cocaine crystals
Problem with freebase
highly flammable
What was the smokable form of cocaine in the mid 1980s
Crack cocaine is powdered cocaine mixed with baking soda and water to create rocks that can be smoked and are safer than freebase
what are the acute health effects of cocaine
- changes in heart rate (increase)
- increase systolic blood pressure
- increases in total peripheral resistance (TTR)
- risk of heart attack
- risk of stroke
- permanent cardiac conduction abnormalities (ex: right bundle branch block)