HOW DOES OUR BRAIN SEND MESSAGES?Why do some drugs get us “high”?

Neurons (brain cells)

Synapse & Neurotransmitters

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5zFgT4aofA• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OS2C4NemJI

Dopamine• Is a reinforcing neurotransmitter• Relays a message and makes us feel good (so we will

continue to do this)• Eat, drink, sex• It is not the only feel good transmitter – acetylcholine,

serotonin, and others.

Why do some drugs make us feel good?

• Certain drugs increase the amount of dopamine (or other reinforcing neurotransmitter) and/or prevents re-uptake.

• Leaves more dopamine floating around in the brain synapses and gives us a “high” feeling.

So how does addiction occur?• http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-1n9tJAT3A&list=PL780B939294BA01FE

Central Nervous System• A. The brain• B. The brain and spinal cord• C. Our spine• D. Our heart and lungs

Stimulant• A. Increases the activity in our CNS• B. Slows down the activity on our CNS• C. A drug that contains opium• D. A medicine that can only be legally obtained with a

doctors prescription.

Neurostransmitter• A. A nerve cell• B. A chemical that carries messages across the synapse• C. The space between two nerve cells• E. A drug that slows down our CNS

Binge Drinking• A. 4 or more drinks in a short period of time if you are a

female.• B. 4 or more drinks in a short period of time if you are a

male.• C. A type of drinking when you are doing “shot” of liquor.• D. Having 2 drinks a day for a week straight.

Depressant• A. Increases the activity in our CNS• B. Slows down the activity on our CNS• C. A drug that only a doctor can legally prescribe• D. A drug that makes us depressed

Hallucinogen• A. Increases the activity in our CNS• B. Slows down the activity on our CNS• C. A drug that contains opium• D. A drug that causes a person to see, hear, and perceive

things that do not exist.

Synapse• A. A drug that effects your reaction time.• B. A nerve cell• C. A relapse into drug abuse• D. The gap between two nerve cells

Physical Addiction• A. An addiction that lasts a long time.• B. The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing

the use of an addictive drug.• C. Having obsessions and compulsions (thinking about

the drug all the time and the only satisfaction is to have the drug.

• D. The need to use a drug for the body to function and avoid discomfort.

Psychological Addiction• A. An addiction that lasts a long time.• B. The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing

the use of an addictive drug.• C. Having obsessions and compulsions (thinking about

the drug all the time and the only satisfaction is to have the drug.

• D. The need to use a drug for the body to function and avoid discomfort.