what are stimulated in the brain to cause dependency on psychoactive drugs? course hero

by Prof. Jaunita Parker 9 min read

As tolerance increases, so does the risk of drug dependency, addiction, and withdrawal. Stimulants Effect On The Brain Stimulants include illicit drugs like cocaine, and amphetamine, as well as legal drugs like caffeine and medical prescription drugs to treat ADHD.

Full Answer

How do psychoactive drugs work in the brain?

Psychoactive drugs artificially activate these same circuits very strongly and “trick” the brain into responding as if the drugs and their associated stimuli (environments, people, objects) were biologically needed.

What are the effects of stimulants on the brain?

However, when there is a dopamine surge, people may become nervous, irritable, aggressive, or paranoid. Other effects of stimulants include hallucinations as well as bizarre thoughts and paranoia that approaches schizophrenia. Like depressants, stimulants can lead to increased tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

Which of the following are examples of psychoactive drugs?

are psychoactive drugs that increase the central nervous system's activity. caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine. The most widely used stimulants are ...... caffeine is the world's most widely used psychoactive drug. caffeine is a stimulant and a natural component of the plants that are the sources of coffee, tea, and cola drinks.

What is psychological dependence on drugs?

Psychological dependence is the strong desire to repeat the use of a drug for emotional reasons, such as a feeling of well-being and reduction of stress. addiction Experts on drug abuse use the term ______ to describe either a physical or psychological dependence, or both, on the drug Psychoactive drugs

Which is responsible for the effects of psychoactive drugs?

All psychoactive drugs, synthetic or natural, affect the brain by interacting with receptors of neurotransmitters that are present in the brain.

How do psychoactive drugs affect the brain?

Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that change our state of consciousness. They work by influencing neurotransmitters in the CNS. Using psychoactive drugs may create tolerance and, when they are no longer used, withdrawal. Addiction may result from tolerance and the difficulty of withdrawal.

What part of the brain is associated with addiction?

The part of the brain that causes addiction is called the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. It is sometimes called the reward circuit of the brain.

What causes addiction in the brain?

In a person who becomes addicted, brain receptors become overwhelmed. The brain responds by producing less dopamine or eliminating dopamine receptors—an adaptation similar to turning the volume down on a loudspeaker when noise becomes too loud.

How dopamine affects the brain?

Dopamine communicates with brain cells and encourages them to act in a pleasurable, excitable, euphoric way. The excitatory nature of dopamine is also one of the reasons why the chemical messenger motivates us. By encouraging our brain cells to take certain actions, dopamine influences our behavior.

How do psychoactive drugs influence the action of neurotransmitters quizlet?

Some psychoactive drugs have a chemical structure similar to a neurotransmitter and so bind to receptors for that neurotransmitter in postsynaptic membranes. They block the receptors, preventing the neurotransmitter from having its usual effect.

How does dopamine cause addiction?

When the drug user takes a drug of choice to achieve the pleasurable feeling being sought, the dopamine chemical is released. When the brain gets over-stimulated with a certain drug, it releases dopamine, which produces a euphoric effect that rewards and reinforces the drug user's behavior.

What are psychoactive drugs?

Listen to pronunciation. (SY-koh-AK-tiv SUB-stunts) A drug or other substance that affects how the brain works and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior. Examples of psychoactive substances include alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, marijuana, and certain pain medicines.

Which neurotransmitter is involved in drug addiction quizlet?

Every substance has slightly different effects on the brain, but all addictive drugs, including alcohol, opioids, and cocaine, produce a pleasurable surge of the neurotransmitter dopamine in a region of the brain called the basal ganglia; neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit messages between nerve cells.

What causes addiction to drugs?

Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person's likelihood of drug use and addiction. Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person's life to affect addiction risk.

What drugs affect what neurotransmitters?

Drug class:Specific drugs:Mechanism:InhalantsNitritesStimulate NO system (NO is a neurotransmitter)OtherSalvinorin A (salvia divinorum)Selective agonist of the kappa opioid receptorMuscimol (amanita muscaria)GABA-A agonistNicotine (tobacco)Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist22 more rows

What does the prefrontal cortex have to do with addiction?

The brain's prefrontal cortex helps to determine the adaptive value of pleasure recorded by the nucleus accumbens and checks the urge to take the drug when it would be unwise. If the prefrontal cortex is not functioning properly, an addictive drug has more power to monopolize the reward circuit.

How do psychoactive drugs affect the brain?

Psychoactive drugs artificially activate these same circuits very strongly and “trick” the brain into responding as if the drugs and their associated stimuli (environments, people, objects) were biologically needed. With repeated exposure, the brain “learns” the relationship between the drug and drug-related stimuli, ...

What are the factors that contribute to psychoactive drug use?

In addition to social and cultural factors, genetic differences largely contribute to person-to-person differences in psychoactive drug use and dependence.

What is the psychoactive effect of drugs?

A person takes a drug and experiences the psychoactive effect, which is highly rewarding or reinforcing, and which activates circuits in the brain that will make it more likely that this behaviour will be repeated. However, the rewarding effects of drugs alone cannot account for why some psychoactive drugs can lead to all ...

Why is drug dependence caused by genes?

Gene research seeks to identify the genes that are involved. Dependence on these drugs is caused by the interaction of several genes with environmental factors. Hence, exposure to drugs could have a much greater effect on somebody who carries a genetic vulnerability to drug dependence than on someone who does not.

How do genetic differences affect drug use?

Genetic differences may influence many aspects of a person’s drug use. For instance, they may influence how pleasurable a drug is, to what extent it harms health (overdose or long-term effects), how strong the withdrawal symptoms and cravings are , and how the person develops tolerance. More... Previous Question.

What are the factors that affect drug use?

Risk and protective factors for drug use 1 availability of drugs, 2 poverty, 3 social change, 4 peer culture, 5 occupation, 6 cultural norms, attitudes, 7 policies on drugs, tobacco & alcohol.

What factors increase or decrease the odds of a person using a psychoactive drug?

Many environmental and individual factors (including genetic disposition) converge to increase or decrease the odds that a particular individual will use a psychoactive drug, and to what extent.

Which depressant increases the concentration of the neurotransmitter _____?

Among the most widely used depressants are..... gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), Alcohol also increases the concentration of the neurotransmitter _____ which is widely distributed in many brain areas, including the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens (. frontal cortex.

What are the stimulants that people use to boost energy, stay awake, or lose weight?

or uppers, are stimulant drugs that people use to boost energy, stay awake, or lose weight. Amphetamines. Often prescribed in the form of diet pills, these drugs increase the release of dopamine, which enhances the user's activity level and pleasurable feelings. crystal methamphetamine.

What is meth made of?

is made using household products such as battery acid, cold medicine, drain cleaner, and kitty litter, and its effects have been devastating, notably in rural areas of the United States. crystal methamphetamine. releases enormous amounts of dopamine in the brain, producing intense feelings of pleasure.

What happens when you take opiates?

Opiates. For several hours after taking THIS PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG the person feels euphoric and pain-free and has an increased appetite for food and sex.

What is the term for the need to take increasing amounts of a drug to get the same effect?

Terms in this set (149) Psychoactive Drugs. act on the nervous system to alter consciousness, modify perceptions, and change moods. tolerance. Continued use of psychoactive drugs leads to...... tolerance. the need to take increasing amounts of a drug to get the same effect. tolerance. the first time someone takes 5 milligrams ...

What is the difference between crack and cocaine?

Because the rush of THIS AMPHETAMINE depletes the brain's supply of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, an agitated, depressed mood usually follows as the drug's effects decline. Crack. is a potent form of cocaine, consisting of chips of pure cocaine that are usually smoked.

Does LSD affect dopamine?

THIS DRUG effects on the body can include dizziness, nausea, and tremors and acts primarily on the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, though it also can affect dopamine . LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) Emotional and cognitive effects of this drug may include rapid mood swings and impaired attention and memory.