Exam 2 Study Questions Drugs and Behavior 1 What is the reward pathway What is the major neurotransmitter in this pathway How is this pathway related to drugs of abuse central role of the reward pathway to make us feel good when we engage in be havior necessary for our survival our appetites hunger thirst sexual activity all trigger the reward pathway triggers dopamine that you re satisfied interpersonal relationships religion art music beauty drugs can all activate this pathway ventral tegmental area release huge amounts of dopamine nucleus accumbens pleasure center prefrontal cortex biological influences genetic predispositions variations in NT systems psychological influences lacking sense of purpose significant stress psychologi cal disorders such as depression social cultural influences peer influences cultural attitude toward drug use 2 What happens to this pathway with repeated administration of an addictive drug addiction continued drug use sharply reduces the number of dopamine receptors in the brain s reward system down regulation shut down receptors why people have tolerance over time dopamine receptors can reopen after time being sober 3 What is tolerance Withdrawal Dependence addiction compulsive drug craving and use despite bad consequences tolerance with repeated exposure the drug s effect lessens you need bigger doses to get the same effect withdrawal absence of drug causes physical pain dependence compulsive psychological craving or need to obtain use the drug 4 What are agonists What are antagonists agonists activates receptors increases the effects of NT activity floods synapse with that NT stays there for long period of time antagonists blocks receptor activity decreases the effects of NT activity decreases NT s effectiveness block receptor sites so NT can t bind prevents NT into synapse 5 How do anti depressants such as Prozac work LOOK AT CHART Prozac inhibits the uptake of serotonin in the brain antidepressant 6 In general be able to link each drug class stimulants depressants opiates etc with the neurotransmitter s they affect and provide a general over view of some of the systemic effects they produce including desirable and po tentially harmful effects opiates depress neural activity relieve pain produce feelings of euphoria opium morphine heroin methadone prescription painkillers all are agonists of endorphins and dopamine depressants reduce neural activity and slow body functions alcohol barbiturates inhalants tranquilizers alcohol acts on GABA receptors agonist releases endorphins the buzz indirectly stimulates the release of dopamine leads to decreased inhibition slowed neural processing reduction of self monitoring behaviors don t care what other people think of you disruption of the processing of recent experiences into long term memo ries hippocampus barbiturates sedative sleep inducing drugs anxiolytics reduce anxiety benzodiazepines ex Valium Xanax sedatives hypnotics sleep meds ex Ambien Rohypnol All depressants are GABA agonists which increase postsynaptic potentials stim ulates GABA receptor stimulants excite neural activity and speed body functions caffeine nicotine amphetamines methamphetamine cocaine nicotine travels to the brain in as little as 10 seconds after it has been absorbed into the bloodstream activates nicotinic acetylcholine ACh receptors indirectly activates dopamine in higher concentrations nicotine stimulates endorphin release amphetamine and methamphetamine causes heightened energy and euphoria triggers a release of dopamine blocks norepinephrine reuptake often leads to severe after effects irritability insomnia depression ecstasy molly MDMA type of methamphetamine synthetic stimulant that increases dopamine and serotonin euphoria CNS stimulation hallucinations articial feeling of social connected ness and intimacy via oxytocin release potential risks of ecstasy dehydration overheating high blood pressure disrupted sleep and circadian rhythm damaged serotonin producing neurons causing permanently depressed mood cocaine psychedelics comes from the coca shrub of South America blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine serotonin release causes mood elevation 15 30 minutes later crash of irritability and depression reveals the mind distort perceptions alter mood and thinking marijuana LSD mescaline psilocybin DMT act on serotonin receptors as an agonist marijuana leaves and flower of hemp plant active chemical in marijuana is THC THC cannabinoid endogenous cannabinoids 2 AG and anandamide appetite stimulation decreased pain sensitivity partly responsible for our anti stress reaction wide array of effects mild hallucinogen mood alteration hunger relaxation distortion of time paranoia For example prescription pain killers opiates agonist of endorphin and dopamine pressants 7 What neurotransmitters are altered when we take prescription pain meds 8 What happens to our brain when we drink alcohol What about other de 9 How does cocaine and methamphetamine alter neurotransmission a cocaine acts on neurons that release dopamine When cocaine is present in the brain it blocks re uptake of dopamine lots of dopamine in the synapse This excess dopamine will continue to bind to receptors and stimulate the postsynaptic neuron 10 How do the hallucinogens psychedelics alter neurotransmission 11 How MDMA alters neurotransmission and hormone activation Potential risks 12 What are the endogenous cannabinoids and what behaviors are they associ ated with endogenous cannabinoids 2 AG and anandamide appetite stimulation and decreased pain sensitivity partly responsible for our anti stress reaction 13 The risk of combining certain drugs cocaethylene mixing cocaine stimulant and alcohol depressant to drink more liver works double time to break down alcohol AND cocaine forms cocaethy lene increases blood pressure makes blood vessels tighter heart beats 3x faster higher chance for heart attacks Neuroscience 1 Name the divisions of the nervous system and the functions associated with each Central Nervous System brain spinal cord Peripheral Nervous System somatic voluntary movement autonomic automatic involuntary movement sympathetic fight vs flight allows body to function under stress parasympathetic controls vegetative functions works in the background for homeostasis 2 What is happening in the body when the sympathetic nervous system is ac tive fastest heartbeat vs parasympathetic relax heartbeat digest nervous system sympathetic fight vs
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