BrainSoup
This neurotransmitter is heavily involved in reward and motivation.
What is dopamine?
Stimulants mainly create large increases in this neurotransmitter.
What is dopamine?
Needing more of a substance to get the same effect is called this.
What is tolerance?
Euphoria, confidence, or relaxation are examples of these types of effects.
What are primary effects?
Switching from one substance to another instead of fully addressing the addiction process is called this.
What is drug switching?
This neurotransmitter acts like the brain’s “brake pedal” and helps calm the nervous system.
What is GABA?
Alcohol primarily increases activity of this calming neurotransmitter.
What is GABA?
Physical dependence happens because the brain is trying to maintain this.
What is balance/homeostasis?
Anxiety, cravings, depression, and insomnia are examples of these effects.
What are secondary effects?
Someone switching from cocaine to methamphetamine would be switching between these types of drugs.
What are stimulants?
This neurotransmitter is involved in mood, sleep, and appetite regulation.
What is serotonin?
Opioids strongly affect the brain’s natural pain relief and reward systems.
What are endorphins/opioid receptors?
Withdrawal symptoms often produce the opposite effects of the substance because the nervous system becomes temporarily this.
What is overactive/dysregulated?
This stimulant secondary effect can include paranoia and psychosis.
What is methamphetamine/cocaine use?
People often switch substances while still trying to achieve this same thing emotionally.
What is relief/escape/numbing/coping?
This neurotransmitter acts like the brain’s “gas pedal” and increases alertness/excitation.
What is glutamate?
Hallucinogens strongly affect this neurotransmitter involved in mood and perception.
What is serotonin?
This term describes needing LESS of a substance over time to feel stronger effects.
What is reverse tolerance?
This substance combination is especially dangerous because both slow breathing and the nervous system.
What are opioids and alcohol/benzodiazepines?
Switching substances does NOT necessarily solve this underlying issue.
What is addiction/the coping problem/the underlying problem?
These are the brain’s natural painkillers released during laughter, exercise, and pleasure.
What are endorphins?
Repeated drug use can make normal rewards feel less enjoyable because the brain becomes less sensitive to this system.
What is the reward system/dopamine system?
Tolerance to one drug carrying over to another similar drug is called this.
What is cross tolerance?
Over time, addiction often shifts from chasing pleasure to avoiding this.
What is withdrawal/discomfort/pain?
True or False: Drug switching always means recovery is happening.
What is False?