Drugs And Addiction Flashcards
What are some symptoms of addiction?
-Anger.
-Asking for money/ financial effects.
-Decline in mental and physical health.
-Not looking after appearence.
How can addiction effect our neurotransmitters?
-Can cause and increase or decrease in neurotransmitters (dopamine and GABA).
-Increased dopamine levels in synapses so causes a feeling of euphoria.
How is the reward pathway effected?
When we do something which is pleasurable the chemicals are released and active in this area so we enjoy something.
How can drugs change neurotransmitters?
-Increasing dopamine levels in reward areas.
-Blocks re-uptake so increases dopamine levels.
-Increases others NT such as GABA.
What is Olds and Milner’s(1954) study and what did it show?
-A rat would press a lever to receive a reward of a mild electric stimulation in the reward part of the brain.
-Would continue to press lever for other possible rewards.
-Showed there was pleasure centres in the brain which are part of our motivation system.
What is desensisation?
If a receptor is constantly stimulated by extra NT then it will be diminished responsiveness so you will have to take more drugs.
What is withdrawl?
A group of symptoms which happens when there is an abrupt decrease in the drugs a person was using (anxiety, shakiness, nausea).
What effect does cocaine have on NT and the body?
-Faster heart rate.
-Higher body temperature.
-Effects dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine levels as it blocks reuptake.
What effect does heroin have on the body and NT?
-Dry mouth and heavy limbs.
-Effects dopamine levels as it reduces GABA (dopamine inhibitor).
What effect does nicotine have on the body and NT?
-increased heart rate and blood pressure.
-Increased release of dopamine.
What effect does alcohol have on the body and NT?
-Causes sedation so decreases anxiety.
-Effects GABA and dopamine levels so causes euphoria.
