Question

In a 1-2 page paper, answer the following question in detail.

What action do drugs have on the brain?

Answer 1

• The brain is made up of many parts that all work together as a team. Different parts of the brain are responsible for coordinating and performing specific functions. Drugs can alter important brain areas that are necessary for life-sustaining functions and can drive the compulsive drug abuse that marks addiction. Brain areas affected by drug abuse include the brain stem,cerebral cortex,limbic system.
• The limbic system is activated by healthy, life-sustaining activities such as eating and socializing but it is also activated by drug abuse.When a person takes an addictive substance, the limbic system releases chemicals that make the user feel good. This encourages habitual substance abuse.
• The overwhelming, involuntary need to use a substance regardless of the harm it may cause is due to actual changes that have occurred in the brain reward system.
• Dopamine plays an important role in the reward system. It is a natural chemical in the brain that sends signals to the limbic system. When introduced into the limbic system, drugs either mimic dopamine or cause an overproduction of it in the brain.
• After continued drug abuse, the human brain is unable to naturally produce normal levels of dopamine and that is why the individual experiences a "high" leading to unnatural behaviour.
• Drugs are chemicals that affect the brain by tapping into its communication system and interfering with the way neurons normally send, receive, and process information. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure is similar to that of a natural neurotransmitter.
• Cocaine can cause the neurons to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals. This disruption produces a greatly amplified message, ultimately disrupting the communication channels.
• Drug addiction also activate the brain's pleasure circuit as well.Prolonged drug use changes the brain in fundamental and long-lasting ways. These long-lasting changes are a major component of the addiction itself. Drug abuse leads to a flip of the brain switch leading to deviant behaviours in the individual.
• Depressant drugs, like alcohol, work on mood and personality but activate inhibitory chemical messengers. The repeated use of such drugs over an extended period of time can cause the body to adjust the amount of naturally occurring inhibitory chemicals it produces. This leads to the phenomena of tolerance showcased by the brain and body.
• Hallucinogenic drugs, like LSD affect those areas of the brain which control sensory perception and thought patterns. They do this by altering the way in which the messages are received and interpreted.
• For example, when you go out with friends for drinking and consume huge amounts of alcohol,you become more intoxicated, someone asks if you want to try some cocaine, and you agree. After taking the cocaine, you start to vomit. However, a short time later, there is a significant release of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric feeling. Even though you vomited, your brain is going to remember the euphoria you felt. As a result, your brain will “encourage” you to seek out this feeling again in the future.