a pathway in the brain that when activated causes us to experience a peasant and rewarding feeling that encourages us to repeat the behavior that activated the pathway
reward pathway = a pathway in the brain that when activated causes us to experience a peasant and rewarding feeling that encourages us to repeat the behavior that activated the pathway
the reward pathway is a key component in learning
if we do something that activates the reward pathway we feel good and are likely to do it again
being rewarded for specific behaviors has an adaptive function e.g. enjoyment after eating high calorie foods would ensure we store enough fat in our body to survive periods of famine
drugs work by changing the way neurotransmitters operate in the brain
most psychoactive drugs work on the dopamine system
heroin increases the amount of dopamine in the reward pathways of the brain by boosting the activation of dopaminergic synapses causing an intensely pleasurable experience
nucleus accumbens
an area of the midbrain associated with the brains reward system
nucleus accumbens = an area of the midbrain associated with the brains reward system
when a drug is taken the brain naturally reacts to the sudden increase in dopamine and reduces its own natural production of dopamine causing an un pleasurable experience when the drug wears off
the un pleasurable experience that happens after taking a drug motivates the person to take the drug again to reproduce the high
repeated drug use causes more down regulation of dopamine production making the person physically dependant on the drug in order to avoid the un pleasurable experience
withdrawal occurs when the drug is no longer present in the nervous system and symptoms can be unpleasant and dangerous
withdrawal happens when the brain adapts to the changes imposed by drugs so that it no longer operates normally without the drug
the brain adapts to the high levels of dopamine caused by drugs and and down regulates its own natural production of it, causing the baseline level of dopamine to lower so to get to the same 'high' more drug is needed
alcohol
has a depressant effect on the nervous system, it slows down neural transmission by increasing the GABA
alcohol = has a depressant effect on the nervous system, it slows down neural transmission by increasing the GABA
opioids
reduces GABA activity which leads to overactivity of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the reward pathways of the brain
opioids = reduces GABA activity which leads to overactivity of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the reward pathways of the brain
amphetamines
increases dopamine and noradrenaline in the synapse by changing reuptake process so that it works in reverse
amphetamines = increases dopamine and noradrenaline in the synapse by changing reuptake process so that it works in reverse
amphetamines force the release neurotransmitters, can block reuptake and in high doses can slow down their breakdown by enzymes
cocaine
increases activity in the dopamine pathway by blocking the reuptake of dopamine
cocaine = increases activity in the dopamine pathway by blocking the reuptake of dopamine
nicotine
increases the amount and transmission of dopamine by blocking the enzyme that breaks it down
nicotine = increases the amount and transmission of dopamine by blocking the enzyme that breaks it down
Drug
Any chemical that affects the body / brain.
Mind altering drugs
Interfere with neurotransmitters in the brain. Examples include LSD and cannabis.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Can be stimulated by activities such as eating, having sex and taking drugs (which are also all things you can become addicted to).
Stimulants
Drugs that make you feel more alert. Examples include caffeine and cocaine.