PSYC 2301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Opioid, Opioid Overdose, Partial Agonist
31 Oct 2017
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How do drug effects occur in the brain: agonist - chemical activates a receptor which causes an action, partial agonist - chemical activates a receptor but not as strong, antagonist - chemical inhibits action by blocking receptor. Substance derived from opium poppy plant: used morphine as pain killer, heroin substituted for morphine but used as a cough suppressant. It had addictive properties which lead to banning. Reinforcing effects: dopamine reward pathway: regulate reward and pleasure - reinforces certain behaviours, experimental techniques: heroin given to animals - limbic system in brain gets full with dopamine. Leisoning of dopaminergic neurons - reinforcement is still there. Prescription opioids: treat pain with opioid, but can cause euphoria which can lead to addiction. Fentanyl use and misuse: used for palliative care patients and anesthetic, have similar effects to heroin (strong and fast effects, 368 overdose related deaths.
