Dopamine

Genetically speaking the gene effecting addiction is thought to be the DRD2 with an A1 variant, this is codes for D2 dopamine receptors. Meaning people with fewer dopamine receptors would require more of a substance to feel the same pleasure as someone who has what would be considered a normal amount of dopamine receptors. A good example of this would be someone with normal amounts would feel happy and satisfied from having a beer, where as someone with a low amount…

In 1956, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved the use of Ritalin as an oral tablet with the active ingredient as methylphenidate hydrochloride. At first, Ritalin was mainly prescribed for use to treat chronic fatigue, depression, narcolepsy, and to offset the sedating effects of other medications. During the 1960s researchers focused on Ritalin as a form treatment of "hyperkinetic syndrome," which in now commonly known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In the…

Welcome to the most hyped club of the century! Here you’re welcome to hit it off at the dance floor or cool down in the chill room. Intensify you club experience with 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or what is better known as ecstasy. Let’s get down to business and talk about the popularity of this drug, along with its destructive nature. Zooming into the brain, neurons release chemical substances that are called neurotransmitters. These chemicals are responsible for daily life and…

an estimated 2.4 billion doses are prescribed a year. Methylphenidate is thought to act through the inhibition of dopamine and norepinephrine transporters in neurons, especially those of dopaminergic pathways of the brain. The dopaminergic pathways of the brain are composed of neurons that synthesize and transmit the neurotransmitter dopamine, to different regions of the brain. Dopamine signaling from these pathways is associated with several integral cognitive processes including…

This depressant class drug is the most commonly used substance in society and when abused like any other substance, can affect the dopamine receptor that provides stimulus to the reward pathway of the brain. As such, alcohol was used as a pain killer before the wide spread use of opiates. Other drugs within this class like benzodiazepines, non- benzodiazepines sleep medications, and…

as dopamine releasers that elevate levels of dopamine in the synaptic cleft, the space between neurons at a nerve synapse, by four distinct mechanisms. The primary mechanism involves amphetamine acting as a substrate for dopamine transporters. The transporters are responsible for pumping dopamine out of the synaptic cleft back into the cytoplasm of presynaptic neurons. The binding of amphetamines to dopamine transporters, inhibit dopamine uptake resulting in a larger concentration of dopamine…

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…

From a Nursing standpoint, after watching both documentaries, it is extremely difficult for me to find an argument opposing the legalization of medical marijuana. As a Nurse, I am a patient advocate and I feel that marijuana has incalculable medical benefits. I most defiantly shed a few tears while watching these families who had run out of options for their children; with the exception of marijuana. I cannot even fathom the thought of giving my own child marijuana. Although, if I felt it would…

Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, also referred to as PANDAS or more commonly, Post Strep Infection. Among other issues that I can have, it leaves my dopamine completely unregulated, causing random spikes, which can cause me to be irritable about very small things. Dopamine not only creates positive emotions, it also is what gives us interest, motives, and the drive to do something. It also is used in natural muscle movements, and has a large part in…

is actually a variant of the promoter region of the gene, coding for a less active MAOA enzyme. Since this enzyme hangs out inside cells and breaks down neurotransmitters, having less active MAOA means more neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) are available, which might be protective against depression (the results are mixed), but it is also possible it could lead to more impulsive and violent behavior. Over the years, the controversy around the “warrior gene”…