Recording-2025-02-14T17:03:08.142Z

Neurotransmitter Receptors

• Neurotransmitter Binding

  • The pink Lego represents a neurotransmitter binding to its receptor, leading to an effect.

  • Agonists (green Lego) bind to the same receptors as neurotransmitters and mimic their effects, effectively increasing their presence in the brain.

  • Example: An endorphin agonist adds more endorphins to the nervous system.

• Antagonists

  • The blue Lego denotes an antagonist drug molecule, which also binds to neurotransmitter receptors but does not activate them.

  • This blockage prevents the neurotransmitter from binding, reducing its effect in the nervous system.

  • Example: Narcan reverses opiate overdoses by blocking endorphin receptors.

Major Categories of Drugs

• Depressants

  • Examples: Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opiates (opioids).

  • Effects: Drowsiness, relaxation, impairments in thinking.

  • Alcohol

    • Impairs prefrontal cortex functions (decision making, emotional control).

    • Affects hippocampus (memory).

    • Suppresses REM sleep, leading to potential memory issues and blackouts.

    • Affects cerebellum (balance and coordination) and can lead to unconsciousness with high blood alcohol concentrations.

    • Withdrawal can be deadly for alcoholics, leading to hallucinations and seizures.

• Benzodiazepines

  • Examples: Valium, Xanax, Ativan.

  • Uses: Treat anxiety, seizure disorders, insomnia; can be abused.

  • Mechanism: GABA agonists that mimic GABA, slowing down the nervous system.

  • Withdrawal: Can also cause serious withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly after extended use.

• Opiates/Opioids

  • Examples: Demerol, Vicodin, OxyContin, fentanyl, heroin.

  • Effects: Pain relief, sedation, euphoria (endorphin agonists).

  • Potential for addiction, but many prescribed users do not become addicted if taken as directed.

  • Distinction: Opiates generally derive from opium, while opioids include synthetic or lab-derived versions.

• Stimulants

  • Examples: Caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA.

  • Effects: Increase activity of the nervous system, wakefulness, energy, augmented confidence, suppressed appetite.

  • Caffeine: Blocks adenosine, leading to wakefulness and enhanced dopamine activity.

  • Cocaine: Highly addictive, provides euphoria. Used historically in various products, including Coca-Cola.

  • Amphetamines: Similar effects to cocaine but longer-lasting.

  • MDMA: Produces euphoria and increased social closeness, but can lead to neurological damage in heavy users.

• Hallucinogens

  • Examples: LSD, mescaline, psilocybin.

  • Effects: Hallucinations, altered perception and emotion.

  • Caution: Unpredictable reactions can occur; may be used in experimental therapies for depression and PTSD.

• Marijuana

  • Contains THC, which has hallucinogenic, depressant, and stimulant properties.

  • Effects can include disinhibition, relaxation, perceptual changes, and in some cases, anxiety.

  • It is an endocannabinoid agonist, mimicking natural brain compounds.

Learning and Behavioral Psychology

• Definition of Learning: A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.

  • Historically focused on behavior as cognitive aspects of learning were marginalized.

• Behaviorism: Learning research was predominantly behavioral, focusing on observable actions.

• Learning Mechanism: Noticing patterns and making associations is crucial for predicting events, thus aiding adaptation.

• Species Capacity: A higher ability to learn correlates with more flexible behavior, indicating less reliance on innate biological factors.

• Major Types of Learning: Classical and operant conditioning are the main focus, still leaning towards behavior acquisition.