chemicals Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into the brain's communication...
-
Upload
chloe-walker -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
0
Transcript of chemicals Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into the brain's communication...
Drugs and the Brain…
Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into
the brain's communication system and interfering with the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information.
Different drugs—because of their chemical structures—work differently.
Drugs and the Brain…Cont. Marijuana and heroin, activate neurons because their
chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter. › these drugs can “fool” receptors, can lock onto them, and can
activate the nerve cells. › Problem = don't work the same way as a natural
neurotransmitter, - neurons wind up sending abnormal messages through the brain.
Cocaine and amphetamine, cause nerve cells to release excessive amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals. › This leads to an exaggerated message in the brain,
ultimately wreaking havoc on the communication channels. › The difference in effect is like the difference between someone
whispering in your ear versus someone shouting in a microphone.
Drugs and the Brain…Cont.
All drugs of abuse—nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and others—affect the brain’s “reward” circuit.› Normally, the reward circuit responds to pleasure by
releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine creates feelings of pleasure, and tells the brain that this is
something important› Hippcampus/amygdala!
Drugs hijack this system, causing unusually large amounts of dopamine to flood the system. › Sometimes, this lasts for a long time compared to what
happens when a natural reward stimulates dopamine. › This flood of dopamine is what causes the “high” or
euphoria associated with drug abuse.
How Do Drugs Affect Our Brains Unnaturally?
When drugs are taken, they can release up to 10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do!
This dwarfs the affects of naturally rewarding behavior…
Such a powerful reward STROGNLY motivates people to take drugs again and again…› Scientists say that drug abuse
is something people can LEARN to do very, very, well…
Why Are Drugs so Addictive?
Most people feel sick from the toxic chemicals found in most drugs…› In fact, some neurons will die from the
toxicity of some chemicals found in drugs HOWEVER, the brain starts changing
immediately to the unnatural flood of neurotransmitters…
Why Are Drugs so Addictive?
The brains ability to activate pleasure circuits changes…it needs more dopamine to create the same affect
Without high amounts of dopamine released, a person will feel flat, lifeless, and depressed.
Now the person needs drugs just to bring dopamine levels up to normal. Larger amounts of the drug are needed to create a dopamine flood, or “high”
Why Are Drugs so Addictive?
These brain changes drive a person to seek out and use drugs compulsively, despite negative consequences such as stealing, losing friends, family problems, or other physical or mental problems brought on by drug abuse---
—this is ADDICTION!!!
Drug Abuse Videos From NIDA
1. What is addiction?2. What kind of drugs can you become
addicted to?3. What makes a person more likely to
become addicted to drugs?4. Why does the drug become “more
important?”5. Can a person quit drugs?
Drug Abuse Videos From NIDA
Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY2luGTX7Dk
Why Are Drugs So Hard to Quit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV6zKmt7S5E