chemicals Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into the brain's communication system and interfering with the way nerve cells normally

The Addicted Brain

Drugs and the Brain…

Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into

the brain's communication system and interfering with the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information.

Different drugs—because of their chemical structures—work differently.

Drugs and the Brain…Cont. Marijuana and heroin, activate neurons because their

chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter. › these drugs can “fool” receptors, can lock onto them, and can

activate the nerve cells. › Problem = don't work the same way as a natural

neurotransmitter, - neurons wind up sending abnormal messages through the brain.

Cocaine and amphetamine, cause nerve cells to release excessive amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals. › This leads to an exaggerated message in the brain,

ultimately wreaking havoc on the communication channels. › The difference in effect is like the difference between someone

whispering in your ear versus someone shouting in a microphone.

Drugs and the Brain…Cont.

All drugs of abuse—nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and others—affect the brain’s “reward” circuit.› Normally, the reward circuit responds to pleasure by

releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine creates feelings of pleasure, and tells the brain that this is

something important› Hippcampus/amygdala!

Drugs hijack this system, causing unusually large amounts of dopamine to flood the system. › Sometimes, this lasts for a long time compared to what

happens when a natural reward stimulates dopamine. › This flood of dopamine is what causes the “high” or

euphoria associated with drug abuse.

How Do Drugs Affect Our Brains Unnaturally?

When drugs are taken, they can release up to 10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do!

This dwarfs the affects of naturally rewarding behavior…

Such a powerful reward STROGNLY motivates people to take drugs again and again…› Scientists say that drug abuse

is something people can LEARN to do very, very, well…

Why Are Drugs so Addictive?

Most people feel sick from the toxic chemicals found in most drugs…› In fact, some neurons will die from the

toxicity of some chemicals found in drugs HOWEVER, the brain starts changing

immediately to the unnatural flood of neurotransmitters…


The brains ability to activate pleasure circuits changes…it needs more dopamine to create the same affect

Without high amounts of dopamine released, a person will feel flat, lifeless, and depressed.

Now the person needs drugs just to bring dopamine levels up to normal. Larger amounts of the drug are needed to create a dopamine flood, or “high”


These brain changes drive a person to seek out and use drugs compulsively, despite negative consequences such as stealing, losing friends, family problems, or other physical or mental problems brought on by drug abuse---

—this is ADDICTION!!!

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1. Stimulation2. Tolerance3. Dependence4. Withdrawal5. Relapse

Drug Abuse Videos From NIDA

1. What is addiction?2. What kind of drugs can you become

addicted to?3. What makes a person more likely to

become addicted to drugs?4. Why does the drug become “more

important?”5. Can a person quit drugs?

Drug Abuse Videos From NIDA

Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY2luGTX7Dk

Why Are Drugs So Hard to Quit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV6zKmt7S5E







Is Addiction the Same For Everyone? NO…can’t predict how many times a person

must use a drug before becoming addicted… Genetics and environment play a huge role

Documents

chemicals Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into the brain's communication system and interfering with the way nerve cells normally