Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now!
Science
Biology
What causes regular cocaine users to chose that "initial high"?

What causes regular cocaine users to chose that "initial high"?

An Illustrated Guide To Vet Med Term
An Illustrated Guide To Vet Med Term
4th Edition
ISBN:9781305465763
Author:ROMICH
Publisher:ROMICH
Chapter13: Nerves Of Steel
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 6CTE
See similar textbooks
icon
Related questions
Question
100%
What causes regular cocaine users to chose that "initial high"?
CASE STUDY: Chocolate vs. Drugs and Dopamine When a person eats chocolate (and enjoys it), the initial experiences with eating the choco- late releases dopamine levels in the brain. This produces pleasurable and rewarding feelings in the brain, which results in an expectation every time chocolate is eaten. However, after a period of time, the expectation of pleasure derived from chocolate becomes the pleasure feeling, and dopamine is no longer released in the brain when chocolate is eaten. Contrast this to when an illicit drug is taken, let's say cocaine. Dopamine is released in the brain, up to 10 times the normal level. These high levels of dopamine are very rewarding and encourage users to seek out more cocaine. Now, unlike eating chocolate, cocaine produces higher levels of dopamine each time it is taken, producing more rewarding experiences and encourages the user to take in more cocaine. Furthermore, the brain tries to compensate for the increase in dopamine by desensitizing the neurons so they are not affected as easily by the surge in dopamine. This is what creates tolerance to the drug. Thus, after using cocaine for a period of time, the increase in dopamine does not pro- duce the same pleasurable feeling compared to the first few times cocaine was used. Thus people are constantly chasing that initial "high" and use more of the drug, more often to gain it. QUESTIONS TO PONDER: 1. How is dopamine affected by chocolate and cocaine similar and different? 2. What causes regular cocaine users to chase that "initial high"? 3. If a person who was a regular cocaine user were to stop suddenly, do you think they would receive pleasure from other activities that naturally pro- duce dopamine (i.e., sex)? Justify your answer. Source: D. Hirshman, "Your Brain on Drugs: Dopamine and Addiction." Available at: www.bigthink.com/going-mental/your-brain-on-drugs -dopamine-and-addiction.
Transcribed Image Text:CASE STUDY: Chocolate vs. Drugs and Dopamine When a person eats chocolate (and enjoys it), the initial experiences with eating the choco- late releases dopamine levels in the brain. This produces pleasurable and rewarding feelings in the brain, which results in an expectation every time chocolate is eaten. However, after a period of time, the expectation of pleasure derived from chocolate becomes the pleasure feeling, and dopamine is no longer released in the brain when chocolate is eaten. Contrast this to when an illicit drug is taken, let's say cocaine. Dopamine is released in the brain, up to 10 times the normal level. These high levels of dopamine are very rewarding and encourage users to seek out more cocaine. Now, unlike eating chocolate, cocaine produces higher levels of dopamine each time it is taken, producing more rewarding experiences and encourages the user to take in more cocaine. Furthermore, the brain tries to compensate for the increase in dopamine by desensitizing the neurons so they are not affected as easily by the surge in dopamine. This is what creates tolerance to the drug. Thus, after using cocaine for a period of time, the increase in dopamine does not pro- duce the same pleasurable feeling compared to the first few times cocaine was used. Thus people are constantly chasing that initial "high" and use more of the drug, more often to gain it. QUESTIONS TO PONDER: 1. How is dopamine affected by chocolate and cocaine similar and different? 2. What causes regular cocaine users to chase that "initial high"? 3. If a person who was a regular cocaine user were to stop suddenly, do you think they would receive pleasure from other activities that naturally pro- duce dopamine (i.e., sex)? Justify your answer. Source: D. Hirshman, "Your Brain on Drugs: Dopamine and Addiction." Available at: www.bigthink.com/going-mental/your-brain-on-drugs -dopamine-and-addiction.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTIONCheck out a sample Q&A here
Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Abuse
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
An Illustrated Guide To Vet Med Term
An Illustrated Guide To Vet Med Term
Biology
ISBN:
9781305465763
Author:
ROMICH
Publisher:
Cengage
Essentials of Pharmacology for Health Professions
Essentials of Pharmacology for Health Professions
Nursing
ISBN:
9781305441620
Author:
WOODROW
Publisher:
Cengage
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:
9781337392938
Author:
Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap …
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap …
Biology
ISBN:
9781285866932
Author:
Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS