Biological Explanations for Smoking - Addiction Flashcards

1
Q

How can neurotransmitters explain initiation of smoking?

A
  • Dopamine give you a sense of pleasure
  • A memory forms which is linked to what you were doing at the time dopamine was released (linked to motor actions)
  • Regal pathway is responsible for making sure you repeat the behaviour by connecting regions of the brain that control memory and behaviour
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2
Q

How can Miyata’s study help to explain initiation?

A

Nicotine inclusion in rats to see relationship between dopamine and serotonin in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA)
- Dopamine increased in LHA - shows how memory can be formed which is linked to dopamine to cause initiation

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3
Q

How can neurotransmitters explain maintenance?

A
  • When you smoke the brain creates nicotine receptors which continue to grow and always need nicotine
  • Person continues to smoke to relate the feeling of stress caused by the desire for nicotine
  • Brain area which normally inhibits risky behaviour is impaired, causing smokers to choose the immediate reward of nicotine without thinking of the consequences
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4
Q

How does Miyata’s study help to explain maintenance?

A

Stopping the nicotine caused dopamine to decrease = makes person feel low and stressed so continues to smoke to maintain high

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5
Q

How do neurotransmitters explain relapse?

A
  • A specific motor action that is linked to dopamine such as rolling a cigarette can cause you to replace back into the behaviour
  • Addicts are highly sensitive to reminders of past highs
  • Smokers are at high risk of relapse when stressed
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6
Q

How does Miyata’s study help to explain relapse?

A

If smoking increases dopamine a memory/motor action linked to it may release dopamine causing the individual to smoke to gain higher levels of dopamine

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