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Psychology 4: Biological > recreational drugs > Flashcards

recreational drugs Flashcards

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1
Q

what are recreational drugs?

A

any substance used in a non therapeutic manner for its effects on motor, sensory, emotional or cognitive activities

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2
Q

what neurotransmitter is released when exposed to a rewarding stimulus?

A

dopamine

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3
Q

what pathway is MOST ASSOCIATED with reward?

A

mesolimbic dopamine pathway

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4
Q

where do dopamine levels rise when reward pathway is activated?

A

nucleus accumbens

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5
Q

what is another important pathway in the reward pathway?

A

mesocortical dopamine pathway

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6
Q

where does the mesocortical dopamine pathway originate and travel to?

A

orignates in ventral tegmental area
travels to cerebral correx

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7
Q

why is the mesolimbic pathway the main structure of the reward system?

A

it is consistently activated during rewarding experiences

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8
Q

what is cocaine?

A
  • 15-30 mins of euphoria, energy and alertness
  • white powder
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9
Q

what is heroin?

A
  • made from morphine and extracted from opium
  • originally used to treat pain and sleeplessness
  • white/brown powder
  • usually injected
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10
Q

what is amphetamine?

A
  • originally used to treat asthma and sleep disorders, narcolepsy
  • white, pink, yellow or grey powder
  • snorted, drank or injected
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11
Q

describe the effect of cociane

A
  • blocks binding site of reuptake receptors
  • prevents reuptake of dopamine
  • excess dopamine in synapse
  • overstimulation of post synaptic receptors = initial euphoria
  • brain relies on cocaine to maintain high degree of pleasure associated with artificially elevated levels of some neurotransmitters
  • increased sensitivity produces depression when withdrawn
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12
Q

describe the effects of heroin

A
  • binds to same receptors as natural opioids
  • reduces amount of inhibitory neurotransmitters so dopamine flood synapse
  • brain adapts and relies on heroin for normal function
  • withdrawal = low mood, anxiety
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13
Q

describe the effects of amphetamine

A
  • imitates dopamine and diffuses through membrane into terminal button
  • forces dopamine out of vesicles
  • dopamine is amplified and overbinds, causing intense high
  • increases action of norepinephrine by producing rush of adrenaline
  • reduces inhibitory effect of glutamate which regulates dopamine levels, making neurons more readily excitable
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14
Q

strength PEE
- compliment of methodology PET

A
  • brain (PET) scans
  • directly assess neurotransmission
  • compare drug abusing and non drug abusing individuals
  • correlate a drugs transit through the brain by monitoring fluctuations of a neurotransmitter
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15
Q

strength PEE
- compliment of methodology fMRI

A
  • monitors metabolic activity in selected brain regions
  • each neurotransmitter has a unique distribution among brain regions so locations with heightened or decreased activity levels help provide clues as to the nt involved
  • objective and scientific
  • controlled conditions
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16
Q

strength PEE
- compliment of methodology lab

A
  • researchers compare individuals with drug exposure history compared to those who dont
  • may compare a behaviour or symptom
  • high control over extraneous variables
17
Q

strength PEE
- application

A
  • drugs have been developed to help heroin withdrawal
  • naloxone blocks opiate receptors and prevents heroin occupying them
  • does not produce euphoria so helps reduce symptoms
  • compliments learning approach as shows that people take drugs to stop withdrawal which is neg reinforcement and this approach forms a foundation for why this occurs
18
Q

weakness PEE
- generalisability

A
  • higher control over animals as unethical to test on humans
  • low generalisation
  • siginificant differences in terms of relative size and developments
19
Q

weakness PEE
- reductionist

A
  • brain and nt functioning are very complex
  • one explanation is too simplistic
  • too simple to say that drugs inhibit or excite
  • ignores social factors of why we initially take drugs
20
Q

weakness PEE
- criticism of methodology

A
  • brain scans cannot get to level of synaptic transmission
  • hard to study mode of action of drugs at synapses
21
Q

strength PEE and CA
- supporting evidence Olds and Milner

A
  • electrodes in rats brain
  • rats press lever and self stimulate
  • suggests that there are places in the brain where stimulation is rewarding enough that animals stimulate themselves frequently
  • cannot be generalised to humans
  • but good EV controls
22
Q

strength PEE and CA
- supporting evidence Volkow

A
  • PET scans
  • track dopamine transporter activity in humans during a cocaine induced high
  • more cocaine occupying dopamine receptors = more intense high
  • good spatial resolution
  • however invasive and cannot isolate brain areas
23
Q

weakness PEE
- opposing study

A
  • Li et al
  • ex heroin addicts shown drug related images and neutral images during fMRI
  • ethical concerns
  • can detect small changes but effected by movement

Psychology 4: Biological (11 decks)

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