Essay on The Actions of Cocaine in the Brain

One can feel the effects of cocaine almost immediately after use, with these effects lasting only a few minutes or hours. The duration of cocaine 's effects depends upon how it is administered. The faster the drug is absorbed, the more intense the high, but also the shorter the duration. The high from snorting is relatively slow to arrive but it may last 15 to 30 minutes. In contrast, the effects from smoking are more immediate but may last only 5 to 10 minutes. “In the brain, cocaine interferes with the chemical messengers -- neurotransmitters -- that nerves use to communicate with each other. Cocaine blocks norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed. The resulting

Abstract: The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. Its functions control every aspect of life. It is important to attempt to comprehend the workings of the brain and to learn the effects of natural and unnatural substances on it. In order to look at chemical effects on the brain, one must first get an understanding for the chemicals as well as how the brain works to interpret and react to signals set out by these chemicals, rhythmically and physiologically. Several chemicals observed include: cocaine (and other chemicals), seratonin, and melatonin.

Cocaine also known as crack cocaine is a stimulant drug, a stimulant raises one’s heart rate, attention and awareness and breathing. Stimulants were used to treat respiratory issues but is now prescribed for individuals with ADHD. In the 1800’s is when cocaine began to be seen as an addicting substance due it’s mood-altering effects on one’s brain. Cocaine can be inhaled through a pipe, when in powder form it can be snorted, and some individuals inject the drug into their bloodstream through intermuscular or intravenously. Individuals that use cocaine repeatedly use the drug within a short time span between each time used so that the euphoric high stays longer. The effects that cocaine has on the central nervous system is so

Cocaine also acts on the reuptake transporters of serotonin and norepinephrine, and therefore, the levels of these neurotransmitters are also increased. (2). Serotonin plays a role similar to dopamine in the DA pathway.

The [C]raclopride plays a role in determining the extracellular dopamine in the synapse. The theory of addiction is the idea that addictive drugs have a particular nature of releasing dopamine, while psychoactive non-addictive drugs do not. Alcohol and Cannabis have been demonstrated to lack certain qualities associated with inducing the release of dopamine in comparison to [C]cocaine. Figure 2 demonstrates an increase of dopamine levels in the ventral striatum which is produced by amphetamine and alcohol administration. In regards to [C]cocaine, there is a reduction in the radiotracer as a result of decreased expression of postsynaptic dopamine receptors. Alcohol dependent individuals demonstrated to have a decreased number of radiotracers, and cannabis detected almost no changes in the dopamine receptor availability. The article itself suggested that addiction is a complex mechanism that involves external factors such as environment, along with variation in drug reaction from person to person. It was suggested he it was unlikely that a single neurotransmitter could explain every aspect associated with addiction. The role of dopamine is concluded to have a central role in addiction to ‘stimulant drugs; which directly affect the dopamine system, but less so, in reference to mediating the addiction of other drugs – such as

The adrenaline rushes through the veins of a cocaine addicts before they get their high is outstanding. They can’t wait to feel the numbness and joy from the poison they just put in their body. Cocaine can be entered into the body by injections, or snorting the white powered. It can take up to ten minutes for the drug to hit the blood stream. If one injects the drug, then undoubtedly the high feeling with be in affect immediately. According to the article “Cocaine and Psychiatric Symptoms” once cocaine is in the blood stream, this is where the user will feel an intense pleasure, ecstasy in the body. The feeling of pleasure throughout the body is greatly intensified. (Morton). The feeling of ecstasy alone can be a valid reason why cocaine is

They must use cocaine in a binge pattern by taking the drug repeatedly in a short period of time at incrementally higher doses. This leads to chronic changes in the neurotransmitters synapses in the brain that results in abuse and addiction (Cocaine). Cocaine will cause long-term changes to the brain’s reward system that will eventually change the amount of dopamine needed to reach that initial euphoria. Tolerance will develop and will result in an increasing dose to reach that same initial high, but could result in psychological or physiological effects

The short term effects of cocaine or "the high" is why one generally uses cocaine. Users generally sniff/snort, inject, or smoke the drug to achieve a high. As the drug enters the blood stream, it stimulates the central nervous system creating a feeling of euphoria, which can last up to 30 minutes. During this time the blood vessels become constricted; heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature increase; and pupils become dilated. This makes most users feel mentally alert, euphoric, and energized although some users experience irritability, anxiety, and

It can also temporarily decrease appetite and sleep. The short-term effects are: increased energy, decreased appetite, mental alertness, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, constricted blood vessels, increased temperature, dilated pupils, violent behavior, tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches, paranoia, dizziness, headache, movement problems, anxiety, insomnia, depression, hallucinations, euphoria, excitement, feeling of strength and power. The long-term effects of cocaine include but are not limited to: irritability, mood disturbances, restlessness, paranoia, auditory hallucinations, and

Researchers have used drugs, such as cocaine, to investigate how the brain processes and perceives information. Through these studies it seems the prefrontal cortex is involved. George et al. (2008) wanted to explore the long lasting effects of self-administered cocaine on the prefrontal cortex of rats. They were observed when given extended (6 hours per session) and limited (1 hour per session) access to the cocaine. After the last administration of the drug the rats were given the task of completing a simple maze they had been conditioned to complete. Not only was the performance of this working memory task hindered, but the density of neurons and oligodendrocytes, which provide insulation to axons, in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex

coca plant (5). The high chemical content as well as the effects of the cocaine derived from the E. coca plant combine to produce properties that are psychoactive and highly addictive. Once ingested, cocaine displays its effects onto the nervous system. Cocaine blocks pumps present in the pre-synaptic neuron cells from the re-uptake of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. Since dopamine is no longer being reabsorbed, a buildup of dopamine in the synaptic cleft occurs. The response emitted by the nervous system is a strong feeling of pleasure and ecstasy (6). Cocaine users greatly desire the feeling of euphoria cocaine provides which ultimately leads to severe

It is important to understand the physiology of narcotics on the brain and body, to attain a better picture of why drugs temporarily relieve emotional pain. Drugs have incredible consequences on the mind and body. Victoria said in her interview that cocaine made her feel extremely euphoric. Cocaine is a stimulant drug that gives energy, euphoria, and compulsiveness. Victoria even agreed that her heart rate increased quickly when she first used cocaine. The effects of drugs on the body can be detrimental to the body. Cocaine is categorized as a stimulant that increases the amount of dopamine that is in the brain. Dopamine is a hormone that is the brain’s reward and pleasure center. “Cocaine prevents the dopamine from being recycled, causing excessive amounts to build up in the brain. This amplifies the dopamine signal and ultimately disrupts normal brain communication.” (DrugFacts) A high is produced from this giving cocaine and extremely addictive quality. As Victoria said that after her first time using cocaine, when she came down from the high she could not think of anything else but wanting more. Cocaine’s high last between 15 to 45 minutes causing a constant obsessive mind to get more. The amount of dopamine in the brain causes the brain to change its chemistry. A tolerance can develop from the cocaine’s high which causes a need to use more, more often, or continue to find drugs to give a high. Addiction uses the term “chasing the high” after the first use which gives

In common with all other classes of substance use disorders, cocaine dependence has been shown to be strongly associated with depression by community and clinical surveys. Cocaine is considered a stimulant that can be inhaled as a powder, injected intravenously, or smoked. The euphoria caused by cocaine is short acting, starting with a ten to twenty second rush, followed by a fifteen to twenty minutes of less intense euphoria. A person that is high on cocaine feels energetic, invincible, and on top of the world. Cocaine works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. This leaves more neurotransmitters present at the synapse, which means the receptors are continuously being activated. This is believed to be the reason for the feeling of euphoria. At the same time the presynaptic supplies of dopamine and norepinephrine are being depleted. This is what causes the crash that happens after the drug wears off (451). I believe that the patient’s cocaine dependence is definitely related to the depression disorder along with the other precipitating

Many people state love is a drug. It has been proven that stages in love effect biological components. An example of this is would include stages like falling in love with a surge of dopamine, or cuddling concludes in serotonin levels being high. Cocaine blocks the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine increasing their consecration in the synapses which amplifies the chemical reactions. In MRI studies, it has been seen that the same pathways are being lit for love and cocaine use.

Cocaine has long history as a psychoactive drug amongst society as it is produced by the “small leaves of the coca shrub” (Levinthal & Hamilton, 2016, p.87) which means that it cocaine is easily manufactured for use. Levinthal and Hamilton (2016) define cocaine as “an extremely potent and dependence producing stimulant drug” (p.87). A stimulant drug is one that blocks the reuptake of monoamines to increase the activation of the receptors for the monoamine’s it targets; with a high activation of the receptors it can produce a euphoric high (Levinthal & Hamilton, 2016). Cocaine is known as a “powerful central nervous system stimulates” (Grewen, et al., 2014, p.114) as it targets “monoamines[:] dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine” (Grewen, et al., 2014, p. 114). The affects that cocaine has on the monoamines that are present in between neurons is blocking their reuptake route; this is unknown exactly why because cocaine does not share a similar structure as dopamine or the other neurotransmitters (Levinthal & Hamilton, 2016). The acute effects of cocaine stimulate a rush of energy and a sense of wellbeing to the individual but it can also produce negative mood changes with chronic users whenever they are not on the drug – a withdrawal effect (Levinthal & Hamilton, 2016).