Recreational drugs Flashcards
1
Q
Agonist
A
Substance that activates receptors in the body to produce a response. Mimics natural chemical like NT to enhance their effects
2
Q
Antagonists
A
Substance that blocks receptors in the body, stops NT from working
3
Q
Reuptake inhibitor
A
- Blocks the reuptake of the NT so more NT stays in the synapse in creating its action.
4
Q
How does Cocaine impact neurotransmission?
A
- Blocks the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
- Normally , after dopamine released in synapse & binds to receptors its reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron.
- Cocaine prevents the reuptake, causing a buildup of domaine in synapse, leading to intense feelings of pleasure and energy.
5
Q
How does cocaine change// affect behaviour short term
A
- heightened alertness, euphoria, increased energy, and confidence
- can also cause decreased appetite, increased sociability, and heightened focus.
- may also result in anxiety, irritability, and paranoia
6
Q
What are the long-term effects of cocaine on neurotransmission?
A
- depletion of dopamine in the brain, damaging dopamine-producing neurons
- tolerance=higher doses for same effects
- dependence
- impair memory, decision-making, and mood regulation
- desensitisation
7
Q
How does heroin impact neurotransmission?
A
- Heroin is converted into morphine in the brain, which binds to opioid receptors
- Mimics endorphins (brains natural pain killers)
- Increases dopamine release, leading to feeling of euphoria and pain relief.
8
Q
How does heroin change// affect behaviour short term
A
- Feelings of euphoria, pain relief, and relaxation by increasing dopamine levels
- Result in drowsiness, slowed breathing, and a sense of calm.
- Nausea, itching, and a loss of coordination.
9
Q
What are the long-term effects of heroin on neurotransmission?
A
- neuroadaptation = opioid receptors less responsive becomes less responsive
- tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms
- dopamine impaired = dysregulated mood, anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits
10
Q
How does amphetamine impact neurotransmission?
A
- Amphetamines increase the release of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin into the synaptic gap, while also blocking their reuptake
- Overstimulates brain
11
Q
How do amphetamines affect behavior in the short term?
A
- Increased alertness, energy, confidence, euphoria.
- Reduce fatigue and appetite, enhance focus and motivation.
- Restlessness, irritability, anxiety, insomnia.
12
Q
What are the long-term effects of amphetamines on neurotransmission?
A
- damage dopamine and serotonin neurons
- affects mood regulation, motivation, and cognitive function declines
- tolerance , dependence , withdrawal symptoms
- memory loss, depression, anxiety.
13
Q
Evidence - A03
A
- Strong evidence from animal studies
- Diana Martinez used PET scans to demonstrate once rats taken heroin it changed their dopamine receptors, showing how drugs can cause addxitctio, using objective and scientific evidence.
14
Q
Application
A
- useful real-world applications.
- For example, methadone is used as a substitute for heroin to reduce withdrawal symptoms by targeting the same opioid receptors more safely.
- shows how biological understanding of neurotransmitters can lead to effective treatment strategies for drug addiction.
15
Q
Credibility
A
- Only shows correlation not causation
- For example, PET scans show increased dopamine levels after cocaine use, which is linked to euphoria.
- This means we can’t be sure the drug alone caused the behaviour, as other factors like mental health or environment could also be involved
16
Q
How good is the research
A
- Limited due to ethical issues
- Volkow et al used PET scans on humans to track activity of dopamine during cocaine induced high. - Unethical to give high doses of addictive drugs to humans ppts.
- Despite the unethical side, the findings were credible and showed positive correlation between the cocaine occupied dopamine and the ppts experience.
