Brain and addiction

Dopamine's role in addiction- The High and Repeat Effect

a neurotransmitter that regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal

Dopamine's role in addiction- The High and Repeat Effect

Our brains are wired to repeat pleasurable activities, dopamine is central to this. Whenever the reward circuit is activated by a healthy, pleasurable experience, a release of dopamine signals that something important is happening that needs to be remembered. This dopamine signal causes changes in the brain making it easier to repeat the activity without thinking about it, leading to the formation of habits. (Examples: working out, eating a cookie, winning a game) \n (1) Drugs produce euphoria (intense excitement/ happiness) causing (2) large releases of dopamine, (3) powerfully reinforcing the connection between consuming drugs and pleasure, "teaching" the brain to seek drugs instead of healthy activities.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain and is composed of right and left hemispheres. It performs higher functions like interpreting touch, vision and hearing, as well as speech, reasoning, emotions, learning, and fine control of movement.

4 Lobes- the frontal lobe, parietal lobe (middle), temporal lobe (side), occipital lobe (back).

Brain

The brain is one of the most complex organs in our body; it is composed of billions of neurons that communicate together by forming numerous connections and synapses.

Cerebellum

Located under the cerebrum. Its function is to coordinate muscle movements, maintain posture, and balance.

Brainstem

Connects the brain to the spinal cord- It performs vital life automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature, wake and sleep cycles, digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing.

Neuron

Nerve cells that work nonstop to send and receive messages. \n (Within a neuron, messages travel from the cell body down a nerve fiber called an axon in the form of electrical impulses. From there, the message is sent to other neurons.)

Neurotransmitters

To help those messages travel from one neuron to another, the brain creates chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. \n (Branches of the axon, called axon terminals, release neurotransmitters into the space between two nerve cells, called a synapse. The axon terminal is like the bus or train terminal - a transportation hub of activity.)

Explain why teens engage in riskier behaviors than adults and are at higher risks for addiction.

The prefrontal cortex is not fully developed yet, therefore teens make decisions with their limbic system- the emotional part of the brain.

Teens are more likely to make decisions based on what provides instant gratification, such as a feeling of happiness. This focus can lead them to take more risks than adults.

Receptors—The Brain's Chemical Receivers

As the neurotransmitter approaches the nearby neuron, it attaches to a special site on that neuron called a receptor. \n (A neurotransmitter and its receptor operate like a key and lock--- a very specific mechanism makes sure that each receptor will forward the right message only after interacting with the right kind of neurotransmitter.)

Transporters—The Brain's Chemical Recyclers

Once neurotransmitters do their job, they are pulled back into their original neuron by transporters. This recycling process shuts off the signal between the neurons.

Two ways drugs work in the brain

1. Imitating the brain's natural chemical messengers-

Explanation:
"Some drugs have chemical structures that mimic a neurotransmitter that naturally occurs in our bodies. In fact, these drugs can "fool" our receptors, lock onto them, and activate the nerve cells. The neurons send abnormal messages through the brain, which can cause problems both for our brains and our bodies."


2. Overstimulating the "reward circuit" of the brain-

Example:
"Some drugs cause nerve cells to release too much dopamine, a natural neurotransmitter, or prevent the normal recycling of dopamine. This leads to exaggerated messages in the brain, causing problems with communication channels."

Long Term Effects Of Using Drugs

Drug use can eventually lead to dramatic changes in neurons and brain circuits. These changes can stay even after the person has stopped taking drugs. This is more likely to happen when a drug is taken over and over again

Addiction

A chronic brain disease that causes a person to take drugs or alcohol repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. Repeated drug use can change the brain, driving a person to seek out and use drugs over and over, despite negative effects such as stealing, losing friends, family problems, or other physical or mental problems brought on by drug use.

What effects can drugs have on the teen brain?

Exposing the teen brain to drugs can change how brain pathways are organized and how the brain functions. The negative impact of drug use can cause problems with attention, memory, and problem solving that can last all the way through adulthood.

How does drug affect the brain

dopamine surges

Waking up

hypothalamus

remembering your keys

hippocampus

reading classwork

cerebrum

Eating lunch

Limbic system

Playing a sport

cerebellum

dancing

cerebellum

taking a math test

cerebrum

talking with friends

cerebrum

breathing

brain stem

hypothalamus

Regulates body temperature, blood pressure, heart beat, metabolism, sleep patterns. Hormones and emotions. 

 Thalamus

Relay station for information, handles attention, alertness, and feelings of pain. 

Cerebellum

Controls involuntary movements, balance and posture.

Brain stem

 Responsible for involuntary muscles, life support functions- such as breathing and blood circulation.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for cognitive functions such as thinking, speech memory and senses.

Teens are at a greater risk of experiencing the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol, because… 

The brain is still growing and drugs can harm the brain

how are teens at risk to engaging into addiction?

Teens are sensitive to dopamine surges and once they try it once, the brain will remember the feeling and want to become tempted to try it again which leads to the addiction cycle.