HMB200H1 Lecture : Drug Abuse
Document Summary
Abused drugs brain changes: cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine. Illegal drugs less toxic, less damage & death since less available. Nicotine itself not damaging but tar from tobacco causes cancer: nicotine, opiates, cannabis own cannabinoids understanding on recs, activation. Dop ~ endogenous cocaine, transmitter of its. Traditionally activate dop systems strength of producing dop release related to abuse potential. Dop system itself = sensitive to these drugs, becomes more sensitive from repeated use. Most damaging since available for use brain, liver damage. Intake: direct injection into brain = most powerful. Dop release w/i seconds very powerful w hurting veins immediate high, correlated w fast activation of dopamine release. Characteristic of abuser = wants fast high, okay. Next fastest, must be absorbed in bloodstream. Slowest thru lungs: method of delivery influences addiction power & dop, methods of slower dopamine delivery less high, activation power weaker conditioned reward effect since delay in reward.
