Role Of Neurochemistry Flashcards
What happens when smoking occurs
1) Nicotine reaches bloodstream activates reward pathway.
NaChR
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
How long does it take for NaChR to activate?
10 seconds <
Nicotine indirectly stimulates…
Ventral tegmental area - large amount of dopamine neurons
Dopamine is then released into the…
Mesolimbic pathway
Down the mesolimbic pathway to..
Causing feelings of…
D2 receptors on the nucleus accumbens
Pleasure and euphoria
When dopamine hits the nucleus acummbens…
Down the…
Releases more dopamine
Mesocortical pathway
From the mesocortical pathway to…
The pre frontal cortex, decisions made to smoke again
Why smoke again
To illicit same releases of dopamine, pleasure and reduction in anxiety
Link to addiction
Illicit same reward, do it repeatedly and become addicted
RTS - Mc Evoy
Smoking behavior in schizophrenics, taking haloperidol (antagonist)
Smoking increases as sought nicotine.
Biological reductionism
Reduces complex behavior (addiction) down to levels of dopamine, neglects holistic approach eg. cultural context and social, like adolescent wanting to fit in. Does not allow understanding of behavior in context.
Practical applications
Principles dictate nicotine addiction, high dopamine and activation of reward pathway - Nicotine replacement therapy eg. patch less harmful form and reduces dose over time and tolerance decreases. Important part of applied psych.
