Brain Basics
This organ sends and receives messages to control the body.
What is the brain?
This chemical is linked to reward and motivation.
What is dopamine?
Drugs like caffeine and cocaine belong to this category.
What are stimulants?
Needing more of a drug to get the same effect.
What is tolerance?
Alcohol most strongly affects balance and coordination here.
What is the cerebellum?
This process allows the brain to change and heal.
What is neuroplasticity?
Cannabis has strong evidence for reducing this chemotherapy side effect.
What is nausea and vomiting?
The space where two neurons communicate.
What is a synapse?
This calming neurotransmitter is boosted by alcohol.
What is GABA?
Alcohol is classified as this type of drug.
What is a depressant? (also acceptable-sedative hypnotic)
When the brain needs a drug to feel normal.
What is dependence?
This drug can dangerously slow breathing.
What are opioids (or alcohol)?
Sleep helps restore this brain chemical balance.
What is dopamine balance?
Long-term cannabis use is linked to reduced volume here.
What is the hippocampus?
This brain part controls breathing and heart rate.
What is the brainstem?
This chemical helps regulate mood, sleep, and stress.
What is serotonin?
LSD affects perception and belongs to this class.
What are hallucinogens?
The unpleasant symptoms after stopping a drug.
What is withdrawal?
Methamphetamine can cause severe tooth decay known by this name.
What is meth mouth?
This mindset improves recovery outcomes.
What is a growth mindset? (also acceptable-optimism)
Recurrent vomiting linked to heavy cannabis use.
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
This structure helps form new memories and is affected by alcohol.
What is the hippocampus?
Nicotine mimics this neurotransmitter.
What is acetylcholine?
This drug causes both stimulation and mild hallucinations.
What is a MDMA?
Loss of pleasure from normal activities.
What is anhedonia?
Nicotine can reach the brain in about this many seconds.
What is 10 seconds?
Mindfulness teaches the brain to do this with cravings.
What is pause and observe?
Cannabis increases risk for this psychiatric condition that is often a symptom of other mental illnesses.
What is psychosis?
This barrier protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood.
What is the blood-brain barrier?
Too much of this chemical over time leads to reduced brain sensitivity.
What is dopamine?
Heroin belongs to this drug class because of the receptors it affects.
What are opioids?
This brain area is critical for decision-making and is weakened in addiction.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Stress increases relapse risk by releasing this hormone.
What is cortisol?
Enjoying small pleasures again shows this positive sign.
What is brain healing?
Frequent cannabis users have a 3.3× higher risk of this event.
What is stroke?