Addiction, Stimulants and the Brain

Addiction and the Brain

• The reward system responds to healthy, pleasurable activities by releasing dopamine, which motivates the brain to repeat those activities.
• Drugs release large amounts of dopamine, initially in response to the drug itself, and later in response to cues associated with the drug.
• Dopamine release reinforces the desire to use drugs, initiating the addiction process.
• Addiction is not solely due to dopamine; changes in dopamine and other systems contribute.

Stimulants

• Stimulants increase arousal, attention, and focus on environmental stimuli.
• Illegal stimulants are used for the "high" or feeling of reward, such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
• Legal stimulants are prescribed for conditions like ADHD, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate.

Synthetic Stimulants

• Synthetic drugs are made in labs.
• Doses of synthetic drugs can be difficult to assess.

Effects of Stimulants on the Brain

• The intensity of psychological effects from stimulants depends on the dose and how quickly it enters the brain.
• Snorting leads to effects in 3-5 minutes.
• Intravenous use leads to effects in 15-30 seconds.
• Smoking leads to immediate effects.

Legal vs. Illegal Stimulants

• There is not much pharmacological difference.
• The key difference lies in the method of intake.
• Adderall is produced in a regulated environment, prescribed by a doctor, and taken in controlled doses for slow absorption.
• Methamphetamine is produced in an unregulated environment, taken in uncontrolled doses, and illicitly sold with harmful chemicals.

Dangers of Non-Prescription Pills

• The dosage in non-prescription pills is unknown.
• The additional ingredients in non-prescription pills is unknown.
• Counterfeit pills are prevalent.
• Pills are not automatically safe.

Prescription Stimulants

• Prescription stimulants treat ADHD and serious sleep problems.

How Drugs Work

• Drugs affect the brain by attaching to receptors used for regular neurotransmitters.
• Not all released dopamine binds to receptors, leaving extra dopamine.
• This extra dopamine can be deactivated or reabsorbed by the releasing neuron through the dopamine reuptake transporter.
• Once deactivated or reabsorbed, the cells reset, preparing for the next signal.

Cocaine and Methamphetamine

• Cocaine prevents the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
• Methamphetamine causes a spill of dopamine and norepinephrine.
• Stimulants activate the release of norepinephrine (noradrenaline), triggering the fight or flight response.

Effects of Increased Dopamine

• Cocaine and methamphetamine increase dopamine levels in the brain, leading to mood elevation and feelings of euphoria and excitement.
• Cocaine's effects are short-lived.
• Methamphetamine's effects are longer in duration.

Immediate and Chronic Effects of Stimulants

• Neurological impairments
• Cognitive deficits.
• Elevated mood
• Excitement
• Digestion inhibition
• Reduced food intake and sleep time

Use Cycle

• Use: taking drugs
• The Rush: immediate and intense effect if smoked or injected
• Decline: drug level in the brain decreases, and dopamine levels begin to return to normal
• The Crash: pleasurable feeling fades quickly
• Users administer another dose to avoid the crash.

Bingeing and Tweaking

• Bingeing: repeated dosing for up to 3 sleepless days.
• Tweaking: severe depression, worsening paranoia, and aggression.
• Tweaking usually ends with exhaustion and depletion of the stimulant supply.
• After a binge, users may sleep for several days before restarting the cycle.