SCI 1000C Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Local Anesthetic, Erythroxylum
Document Summary
Once you build up the signals, your body requires more of drug and your body will crave more. Drive for the new signal from your body. Native to mountain regions in south america. Evergreen leaves, containing about 1% alkaloids, mostly cocaine. Natives chew the leaves to enhance endurance before hard labor. Chewing leaves in legal and socially acceptable in some countries in south america. In the u. s. the drug comes in different forms and names. They differ in potency, methods of application and speed producing results. Local anesthetic: temporarily blocks nerve impulses; constricts blood vessels. Short-term euphoria; burst of energy, alertness; blocks neurotransmitter uptake. Addiction: comes with withdrawal symptoms (depression, irritability, etc. ) that are not as severe as those of other hard drug.