When cocaine is used, it travels directly to the brain via blood vessels. It is mainly located in the dopamine synapses. It attaches itself to both the dopamine neurotransmitters and the receptor sites on the dendrite. This result in the axon being unable to re-absorb dopamine while the dopamine is only allowed to bind to certain dendrites. After all the available dendrites are taken up the remaining dopamine neurotransmitters simply float around in the synapse. The brain itself after a while becomes accustomed to the excess dopamine and it alters its chemistry to accommodate this. It accommodates this by slowing or sometimes even stopping the production of dopamine. It is due to this that if an addict stops using or even miss a dose, they start feeling cravings or withdrawals. It is the brain being starved of dopamine.
From personal experience with my friends I can say that cocaine is a powerfull drug. Any drug after a while begins to alter the chemistry of the brain. Even presciption drugs, which is how I can relate to the withdrawls. After being prescribed pain killers for a broken bone, I simply stopped taking them and it was as if I had a bad case of the flu. If I took them again, the feelings of weariness went away.
There were no real terms that I didn’t understand due to the fact that I have previously written a blog about this and im taking intro to psychology.
The National institute on drug abuse. “Section III: Introduction to Drugs of Abuse: Cocaine, Opiates (Heroin) and Marijuana (THC)”. October 29,2007. http://www.drugabuse.gov/pubs/teaching/Teaching4.html
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