drugs alter brain neurochemistry – Flashcards

mind-altering substances that people typically take for recreational purposes and change the brain's neurochemistry either by mimicking neurotransmitters or changing the activity of a neurotransmitter system it imitates or activates

drugs that increase behavioral and mental activity stimulate central nervous system activate sympathetic nervous system(heart rate) activate dopeamine receptors ether by blocking reuptake and making them stay in the synapse or by increasing the release leads to feelnigs of reward and then greater desire to take the drug

reduce behavior in the nervous system by depressing the central nervous system mimics GABA

reduce the experience of pain bring pleasure mimic endorphins

produce alterations in mood, perception, and cognition

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria increases amount of dopamine in the synapse

stimulant dopeamine reduce fatigue treatment for narcolepsy and adhd methamphetamine produces high levels of dopeamine in the synapse can do harm to memory because it evenutally depletes dopeamine

bind with receptors for naturally occuring endorphins blunts ppain

has the effects of a stimulant a depressant or .a hallucinogen THC relaxed mental state, uplifted or contented mood or perceptual cognitive perceptions impairs memory and motor mimics cannaboid receptors

produces energizing effect similar to that of stimulants causes hallucinations drug is called ectasy or molly accosiated with serotonin activity long term memory loss diminished ability to perform tasks, damage to hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex

is a depressant: inhibits neural activity produces its effects by activating GABA receptors GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system (less likely to generate an action potential)

tolerance - a person needs to consume more of a certain amount of drugs to get the same effects failure to do so leads to withdrawal-anxiety, tension, cravings for the drug

dopeamine activity in the limbic system--the nucleus accumbens -the wanting properties of taking drugs insula-brain region related to craving a drug initial drug use: euphoria tolernce: taking more and more of the drugg to get that same first experience