Ch. 5: Drugs, Addiction, and Reward

Addiction

A preoccupation with obtaining a drug, compulsive use despite adverse consequences, and a high tendency to relapse after quitting.

Agonist Treatment

Addiction treatment that replaces the addicting drug with another drug that has a similar effect.

Alcohol

Ethanol, a drug fermented from plant products that produces euphoria, anxiety reduction, motor incoordination, and cognitive impairment.

Amphetamine

Synthetic drugs that produce euphoria and increase confidence and concentration.

Analgesic

A substance that relieves pain.

Antagonist Treatment

Treatment for drug addiction using drugs that block the effects of the addicting drug.

Antidrug Vaccine

Treatment using molecules that stimulate the immune system to break down the drug.

Anxiolytic

A substance that reduces anxiety.

Aversive Treatment

Addiction treatment that causes a negative reaction when the drug is taken.

Barbiturate

Drugs that act on higher cortical centers to produce talkativeness and, in higher doses, sedation and hypnosis.

Bath Salts

Synthetic derivatives of the Catha edulis plant with amphetamine-like effects.

Benzodiazepine

Drugs that produce anxiety reduction, sedation, and muscle relaxation by stimulating GABAA receptors.

Caffeine

A drug that increases arousal, alertness, and decreases sleepiness.

Cannabinoids

Compounds including THC that act as retrograde messengers in the body.

Cocaine

A drug from the coca plant that produces euphoria, decreased appetite, and increased alertness.

Delirium Tremens

Severe withdrawal reaction from alcohol, including hallucinations and confusion.

Dependence

The need to continue taking a drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Depressant

A drug that reduces central nervous system activity.

Drug

Any substance that changes the body’s functioning upon entering it.

Endogenous

Generated within the body, often referring to natural ligands for receptors.

Endorphins

Substances that act on opioid receptors and function as neurotransmitters and hormones.

Euphoric

Referring to a drug’s ability to produce happiness or ecstasy.

Heroin

A major addictive drug synthesized from morphine.

Hypnotic

A substance that induces sleep.

Hypofrontality

Reduced activity in frontal brain regions affecting memory and attention.

Marijuana

Dried leaves and flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant.

Mesocorticolimbic Dopamine System

Brain regions important in reward and addiction, including the nucleus accumbens.

Mesolimbic Pathway

A dopaminergic pathway important in responding to rewarding stimuli.

Methadone

A synthetic opioid used as agonist treatment for opiate addiction.

Methylation

Attachment of a methyl group to DNA that suppresses gene activity.

Nicotine

The primary psychoactive and addictive ingredient in tobacco.

Nucleus Accumbens

A brain structure part of the dopamine system and a center for reward.

Opiate

Drugs derived from the opium poppy, affecting opiate receptors.

Psychedelic Drug

Compounds that cause perceptual distortions.

Psychoactive Drug

Any drug with psychological effects, such as anxiety relief or hallucinations.

Reward

The positive effect from a drug or other stimuli.

Sedative

A drug that has a calming effect.

Stimulant

A drug that activates the nervous system to produce arousal and elevated mood.

Tolerance

Reduced responsiveness to a drug after repeated use, requiring more for the same effect.

Ventral Tegmental Area

A part of the dopamine system that sends neurons to the nucleus accumbens and is a reward area.