neurotransmitters and drugs

drugs

adrenaline

fight or flight

noradrenaline

concentration

dopamine

pleasure and reward

serotonin

mood

GABA

calming (inhibitory)

acetylcholine

learning

glutamate

memory (most prevalent, excitatory)

endorphins

euphoria

what are the properties of neurotransmitters?

• synthesised in presynaptic neuron, stored in vesicles

• released when an action potential arrives (stimulus)

• postsynaptic neuron contains receptors

how do drugs affect the neurotransmitters?

drugs elicit the same response as neurotransmitters causing overstimulation, overflow in synapses, and blockage of receptors

steps of neurotransmission

1. action potential arises

2. calcium floods in

3. neurotransmitters release

excitatory vs. inhibitory

excitatory = stimulating
inhibitory = calming

LSD

hallucinogen
binds to serotonin receptors to inhibit or excite them

cocaine

stimulant
blocks dopamine transporters, causing overstimulation

alcohol

depressant
reacts with GABA to make them more inhibitory, binds to glutamate receptors to prevent them from exciting the cell

meth

stimulant
mimics dopamine, causing an overflow in the synapse and overstimulation by continuous binding to receptors

marijuana

depressant
blocks the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, resulting in extra release of dopamine into the synapse

ecstasy

stimulant
mimics serotonin, causing serotonin to continuously bind to receptors and overstimulation

heroin

depressant
blocks the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, resulting in extra release of dopamine into the synapse