PSYCH 230 Lecture Notes - Lecture 73: Medial Forebrain Bundle, Mesolimbic Pathway, Endorphins
Document Summary
Central brain area for the influence of reward. Electrical stimulation of this area leads to powerful reinforcement. Animals do this until they die because they cannot stop. Also activated in response to behavioral cues of drug use (craving) Alcohol may directly activate reward pathway (increase dopamine) Gaba stops/slows nt in the postsynaptic cell. Alcohol may decrease the gaba that stops dopamine transmission. Those with aud have fewer dopamine receptors. They are under-stimulated and use alcohol/drugs to compensate. Natural opioids produced by the brain itself. Aud may be associated with overreaction of the endogenous opioid system in response to alcohol. Drugs blocking endorphin receptors less use of alc. Report the high or buzz of drinking is lower when taking endorphin blockers. Expectancy effects: expectations of how alcohol or drugs will affect you can produce that effect. The placebo effect applies to alcohol and drugs. Subjects given water but told it"s alcohol.
