Specialized chemicals known as neurotransmitters carry signals across synapses. Each neurotransmitter is linked with particular effects depending on the distribution of each neurotransmitter among the brain's numerous functional areas. For example, dopamine is highly concentrated in regions that regulate motivation and feelings of reward (Dombeck, 2002). A neurotransmitter's impact also depends on whether it stimulates or decreases activity in its target neurons.
Drugs make their effects by increasing or interfering with the activity of neurotransmitters and receptors within the synapses of the brain. Agonistic drugs improve the message carried by the neurotransmitters. Antagonistic drugs, interfere with the transmission of neurotransmitter …show more content…
An agonistic drug can stimulate increased production of specific neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters become more numerous when released into the synapse. An agonistic drug can interfere with the re-uptake of neurotransmitter substances, this has the effect of the drug being forced to linger longer than usual in the synapse and interact with receptors. An example is this is how cocaine affects norepinephrine and dopamine. An agonistic drug can fully avoid the neurotransmitter, flow into the synapse, bind with, and stimulate the neurotransmitter's receptors. Most that are abused are agonists of numerous neurotransmitters (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Dopamine is one of the many neurotransmitters that are …show more content…
For example, Cocaine attaches to structures that regulate dopamine, which produces euphoria. A neurotransmitter can often stimulate or inhibit a cell that produces a different neurotransmitter and a drug that alters one neurotransmitter can have secondary impacts on another neurotransmitter. In fact, all abused drugs have something in common, which is a dramatic increase in dopamine that signals in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This leads to euphoria and a desire to repeat an experience. An example of this is when Nicotine stimulates dopamine-releasing cells directly by stimulating acetylcholine receptors, and indirectly triggering higher levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that acts as an accelerator for neuron activity throughout the brain. While Nicotine has desirable effects on an addict, some drugs have negative effects on the nerve
Drugs make their effects by increasing or interfering with the activity of neurotransmitters and receptors within the synapses of the brain. Agonistic drugs improve the message carried by the neurotransmitters. Antagonistic drugs, interfere with the transmission of neurotransmitter …show more content…
An agonistic drug can stimulate increased production of specific neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters become more numerous when released into the synapse. An agonistic drug can interfere with the re-uptake of neurotransmitter substances, this has the effect of the drug being forced to linger longer than usual in the synapse and interact with receptors. An example is this is how cocaine affects norepinephrine and dopamine. An agonistic drug can fully avoid the neurotransmitter, flow into the synapse, bind with, and stimulate the neurotransmitter's receptors. Most that are abused are agonists of numerous neurotransmitters (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Dopamine is one of the many neurotransmitters that are …show more content…
For example, Cocaine attaches to structures that regulate dopamine, which produces euphoria. A neurotransmitter can often stimulate or inhibit a cell that produces a different neurotransmitter and a drug that alters one neurotransmitter can have secondary impacts on another neurotransmitter. In fact, all abused drugs have something in common, which is a dramatic increase in dopamine that signals in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This leads to euphoria and a desire to repeat an experience. An example of this is when Nicotine stimulates dopamine-releasing cells directly by stimulating acetylcholine receptors, and indirectly triggering higher levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that acts as an accelerator for neuron activity throughout the brain. While Nicotine has desirable effects on an addict, some drugs have negative effects on the nerve