Drugs on Brain | Lecture Note

University:
The University Of Western Ontario
Course:
Pathology 3500B | Human Pathology
Academic year:

2023
Views:

63

Pages:

3
Author:

Kyuwon J.

Drugs on Brain ● Psychoactive drugs can affect CNS ○ Alters consciousness ○ Mood ○ Perception ○ Behaviours ● Work by modification of synaptic transmission ○ Could enhance ○ Could inhibit the release and uptake of neurotransmitters ■ Facilitate synaptic transmission ● Increase in activity ● Agonists ■ Inhibits synaptic transmission ● Decrease in activity ● Antagonists Drug on synaptic transmissions ● Antagonist ○ Mimicary ○ Increase neurotransmitter effects ■ Increases neurotransmitter release ■ Binds to receptor sites ● Mimicery of natural transmitters ■ Preventing reuptake ● Future, more neurotransmitter will remain active ○ ex) ■ Cocain : blocking dopamine reuptake => make individual high ● Cannabis ○ By far the most consumed drug ○ Approx 15% in 2017 ○ Rising to 21% in 2019 ● Illegal drugs ○ Around 3% of Canadian reported ○ Cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, methamphetamines ● Cannabis use is significantly higher than other drug uses Drug inhibition ● Antagonist will block and reduce neurotransmitter effect ○ Blocking receptor site ■ Neurotransmitter cannot bind ■ Reducing neurotransmitter release ○ ex) ■ Naxolon : blocks opioid receptors ● Reverse in overdose Key Concept Antagonist action Blocks the receptor site Neurotransmitter cannot bind Example – Naloxone A classic opioid antagonist Quickly reverses opioid overdose Analysis ● Biological level ○ Genetic predisposition on addictions ○ Neurochemical imbalances ○ Brain structure affected ■ Reward circuits ● Psychological level ○ Personality traits ■ Impulsivity ○ Mental health disorders ■ Depression ■ Anxiety ○ Coping mechanisms ■ Stress ■ Trauma ● Environmental level ○ Peer influence ○ Cultural norms ○ Availability on drugs ○ Family environments ○ Socioeconomic status Social implications ● Drug use multifunctional ○ Not single cause explains addictions ○ Effective intervention need to target all three biological psychological and Environmental levels ■ ex) ● Biological = medication, brain chemistry ● Psychological = therapy, behavioral modification ● Environmental = reduction of drug availability , improvement of social supports