recreational drugs

Question 1

what is an agonist drug?

Answer 1

a drug that activates the synaptic receptor sites

Question 2

what is an antagonist drug?

Answer 2

1) a drug that does not activate the synaptic receptor sites

Question 3

what is does the reuptake inhibitor do?

Answer 3

blocks the reuptake of the neurotransmitters so more neutransmitters remain in the synpase, increases its action

Question 4

what does the reward pathway involve?

Answer 4

the reward pathway involves activities that lead to an elevated level of dopamine and alleviates rhythms in the brain’s reward system

Question 5

how does the reward system link to drug taking?

Answer 5

1) neurotransmitters are released into the mesolymbic pathway when you experience pleasure
2) different parts of the pathway have dopamine receptors that causes you to take that drug again

Question 6

what makes up the mesolymbic pathway?

Answer 6

1) the hippocampus
2) the amygala
3) the nucleus accumbens

Question 7

what does the nucleus accumbens do?

Answer 7

controls motor functions

Question 8

how does heroin impact neurotransmitters?

Answer 8

• increases the amount of dopamine in the reward pathways in the brain
• boosts the activation of dopaminergic synapses
• the wearing off of dopamine leads to dysphoria

Question 9

what are the short term effects of heroin?

Answer 9

• feeling of warmth
• reduction of pain
• slows down mental functions, breathing and heart rate

Question 10

what are the long term efffect of heroin?

Answer 10

• physical and psychological dependence
• withdrawal symptoms as the brain adapts to the heroin
• less endorphine is being produced = addiction

Question 11

how does amphetamine impact neurotransmitters?

Answer 11

• increases the levels of noradrenaline and dopamine by reversing the reuptake process in the synaptic gap
• reduces the action of glutamine

Question 12

what are the short term effects of amphetamine?

Answer 12

• increased heart rate and blood pressure
• reduced fatigue and feelings of happiness
• decreased appetite

Question 13

what are the long term effects of amphetamine?

Answer 13

• insomnia
• psychosis
• depression like state
• damaged dopamine receptors due to overstimulation = increased use of the drug = addiction

Question 14

how do people that take amphetamine become addicted?

Answer 14

because of damaged dopamine receptors, people would take MORE amphetamine as dopamine is required to stimulate the neuron to a normal level