Effects of recreational drugs

• What are recreational drugs?

  Drugs used without medical grounds for pleasure
• How do recreational drugs affect mood and perception?

  They alter mood and sensory perceptions
• What are the categories of recreational drugs?

  • Stimulants: Increase neural activity (e.g., cocaine)
  • Sedatives: Decrease neural activity (e.g., tranquilizers)
  • Hallucinogens: Alter perception (e.g., LSD)
  • Opioids: Provide pain relief and pleasure (e.g., morphine)
• What is the mesolimbic pathway responsible for?

  It is the brain's reward pathway
• What neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the reward pathway?

  Dopamine
• What happens when dopamine is released in the reward pathway?

  We experience pleasant and rewarding feelings
• How does the reward pathway influence behavior?

  It encourages repetition of rewarding behaviors
• Why is the reward pathway considered adaptive?

  It helps humans survive by motivating behaviors
• What is a stimulant?

  A drug that speeds up the central nervous system
• What is a sedative?

  A drug that slows down the central nervous system
• What do hallucinogens do?

  They alter perception and sensory experiences
• What is an opioid?

  A drug that produces pleasure and pain relief
• How does cocaine affect dopamine levels?

  It prevents dopamine reuptake, increasing levels
• What happens to dopamine receptors after repeated cocaine use?

  They become downregulated and less effective
• What is the role of GABA in alcohol's effects?

  It inhibits neural activity, causing sedation
• How does heroin affect dopamine release?

  It inhibits inhibitory neurotransmitters, increasing dopamine
• What is the effect of methamphetamine on dopamine transporters?

  It forces dopamine out of neurons, increasing levels
• How does addiction develop according to the described process?

  Through downregulation of dopamine production over time
• What are the steps involved in the addiction process?

  1. Drug increases dopamine levels.
  2. Brain downregulates dopamine production.
  3. User feels depressed without the drug.
  4. User takes more to feel normal.
  5. Continued use leads to further downregulation.
  6. Stopping the drug results in withdrawal symptoms.
• What evidence supports the role of dopamine in addiction?

  Research shows dopamine levels increase with cocaine
• What is a limitation of animal studies in addiction research?

  Human brains are more complex than animal brains
• How can knowledge of neurotransmission help in addiction treatment?

  It leads to the development of targeted treatments
• What role do social groups play in drug use?

  They can influence individuals to use drugs
• How does social environment affect drug use behavior?

  It can lead to increased likelihood of use