Question

Explain the processes involved when drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, mescaline or alcohol enter the brain.

Answer 1

Substances like Cocaine, Marijuana and Mescaline can be administrated in several ways. Some drugs can be injected and some can be applied through smoking. But there are basically 2 processes involved in which a drug reaches in our Brain. These two processes are

1. Absorption
2. Distribution

Absorption- Basically Absorption process starts after the administration of the Drug. There is several processes in which a drug can be absorbed

• Oral Administration- If the drugs administrations are done orally such as by eating or drinking then it will be absorbed though our Stomach. After that, drugs will be passed through our liver. In this way, Drugs takes some more time to enter in our brain.
• Through Injection-Injection is the faster way for the drugs to enter in our brain. If the drug injected in our vein then it will be delivered in the Bloodstream directly.
• Snorting- Snorting a drug can cause the drug absorption through the blood vessels and from our nose the drugs enters into the blood stream.
• Inhaled-If a drug is taken by an inhaled process then it will enter in the bloodstream.
• Smoking- Smoking is the fastest way in which a drug can enter in our bloodstream and reach in the Brain.

   So we can say that, after administrating the drugs it will be absorbed into our bloodstream.

Distribution- The Distribution process occurs through our Circulatory System. When a drug entered in the bloodstream, then our heart pumps that blood which carries the drugs in our whole body. In this way drugs like Cocaine, Marijuana or Alcohol enters in our brain. Before entering into our brain, the drugs should pass by the blood brain barrier.