Brain Basics
his is the chemical messenger that allows neurons to communicate with one another.
Neurotransmitter
After repeated use, the same amount of a drug no longer produces the same effect.
Tolerance
Stimulants generally increase activity in these two divisions of the nervous system.
Central and peripheral nervous systems
This is the most widely used stimulant in the world and is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and many medications.
Caffeine
This pharmacological term describes the amount of time required for the amount of a drug in the body to decrease by approximately 50%.
Half-life
This is the tiny space between neurons where neurotransmitters carry chemical messages.
Synapse
A person's body becomes faster at metabolizing and breaking down a drug. This is what type of tolerance?
Dispositional (metabolic) tolerance
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, alertness, and physical activation are associated with this “fight-or-flight” type of response.
Sympathetic arousal
People frequently report that this substance makes them feel relaxed, but it is actually classified as a stimulant.
Nicotine
Psychoactive drugs create their physical, mental, and emotional effects primarily by modifying or mimicking the function of these naturally occurring chemical messengers.
Neurotransmitters
One of these activates a receptor, while the other blocks receptor activation.
Agonist and Antagonist
A person's brain receptors become less sensitive or decrease in number after repeated drug exposure. This is what type of tolerance?
Pharmacodynamic (cellular) tolerance
After prolonged stimulant use, a person stops using and experiences extreme fatigue, depression, sleep changes, and craving. What is the body experiencing?
Withdrawal
Compared with methamphetamine, this stimulant is metabolized relatively quickly, so its effects generally dissipate faster.
Cocaine
Per standard dose, the effects of cocaine generally last longer than the effects of methamphetamine.
False
This neurotransmitter plays a major role in the brain's reward and reinforcement pathway and is strongly affected by stimulants.
Dopamine
Repeated overstimulation causes the brain to decrease the number or responsiveness of certain receptors.
Down-regulation
A long-term stimulant user reports feeling as though hundreds of tiny bugs are crawling on or underneath the skin.
Formication
Instead of directly activating receptors, cocaine increases concentrations of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine in the synapse primarily by interfering with this process.
Reabsorption/reuptake
Long-term cocaine use has a significant physiological impact on this body system, contributing to problems involving blood vessels, blood pressure, heart function, heart attack, and stroke.
Cardiovascular system?
Heavy, chronic chemical use can change normal brain functioning, and some of those changes can persist even after drug use stops. This process is called ______.
Neuroadaptation
Jordan has used a drug repeatedly. His liver now breaks it down faster, so he needs more of the drug to experience the same effects. Name BOTH the general process and the specific type occurring.
Tolerance and dispositional (metabolic) tolerance?
Heavy, prolonged stimulant use can produce paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations that may resemble this serious psychiatric condition.
Schizophrenia / a schizophrenic-like psychosis
This common stimulant keeps people awake primarily by acting as an antagonist at adenosine receptors.
Caffeine
A person repeatedly uses a powerful stimulant. Over time, dopamine receptors decrease, more drug is needed for the desired effect, and stopping use is followed by depression and intense craving. Name the THREE concepts represented.
Down-regulation, tolerance, and withdrawal