The Physiological Effects of Cocaine in the Neurosystem

1584 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Cocaine and the nervous system

Cocaine abuse and dependence affected 1.4 million Americans in 2008 (Volkow, 2010). Cocaine is known for its addictive properties (Letchworth et al., 2001). Therapeutic and medicinal techniques utilized to relieve drug effects and drug seeking behavior have become increasingly popular in the scientific community. In general the affected areas during or after cocaine use have been identified subsequently providing research into the physiological aspects of cocaine use. Research to determine drug-seeking and relapse is imperative due to the prevalence of cocaine use and the rehabilitative qualities a medicinal cure could provide. Brief Review of Cocaine Cocaine is a Schedule II drug, known for its addictive properties and permissive medicinal administration. Cocaine exists in two forms: water soluble and insoluble; these forms can enter the bloodstream by mechanism of oral ingestion, intravenous injection, inhalation, and intranasal inhalation (Volkow, 2010). Cocaine is a stimulus, therefore the use of cocaine stimulates the para-sympathetic nervous system, exciting physiological reactions, but also creating a sense of euphoria resulting from an increase in dopamine activity (Barlow & Durand, 2012). Cocaine is effective in stimulating euphoria because of the dopamine agonists properties it possesses (Carlson, 2013). Mechanism: How does cocaine work? Action potentials in neurons are facilitated by neurotransmitters released from the terminal button of the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic gap where the neurotransmitter binds with receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron. Dopamine (DA) is released into the synaptic gap exciting the neighboring neuron, and is then reabsorbed into the neuron of origin through dopamine transporter... ... middle of paper ... ...ional Medical Association, 97(11), 1504-1515. (Nnadi et al., 2005). Peters, J., LaLumiere, R.T., Kalivas, P.W. (2008). Infralimbic prefrontal cortex is responsible for inhibiting cocaine seeking in extinguished rats. Journal of Neuroscience, 28(23), 6046-6053. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1045-08.2008. (Peters et al., 2008). Porrino, L.J., Smith, H.R. Nader, M.A., Beveridge, T.J.R. (2007). The effects of cocaine: A shifting target over the course of addiction. Prog Nueropsychopharmocol Biol Psychiatry, 31(8), 1593-1600. (Porrine et al., 2007). Quintero, G. (2013). Role of nucleus accumben glutamateric plasticity in drug addiction. Nueropsychriatric Disease and Treatment, 9, 1499-1512. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S45963. (Quintero, 2013). Volkow, N.D. (2010). Research report series: Cocaine abuse and addiction. National Institue on Drug Abuse, NIH publication 10-4166. (Volkow, 2010).

Show More
Related

  • Comparison of Drug Courts or Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Battle Cocaine Addiction

    1480 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cognitive behavioral therapy has had mixed findings for cocaine addicts. There has been one study conducted that concluded that CBT has better long-term success than any clinical management (Maude-Griffin et.al, 1998). Before we get in to successes and effectiveness, giving the basis of the goal of CBT needs to be known. Cog...

    Read More

  • Temperance Movement and Opium

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...y, H. (2008). Drug use and abuse: a comprehensive introduction (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.

    Read More

  • Crack Cocaine Research Paper

    1695 Words  | 4 Pages

    This system operates through the release of various neurochemical transmitters (from the nerve cells in which they are produced) and their binding to receptor sites on neighboring cells. The constant release and binding of these neurotransmitters forms a pathway of “messages” that travel throughout the body, sustaining life and making possible the organism’s response to environmental stimuli. The drug also has an impact in the autonomic (or involuntary) division of the central nervous system, which helps regulate a variety of bodily functions that are generally free of volitional impact, including respiration, circulation, digestion, and body temperature. Ordinarily, these functions are maintained at relatively stable levels throughout the day. But they are slowed down during periods of rest through diminished production, release, and binding of neurotransmitters and can be speeded up, as needed, through increased neurotransmitter activity. It operates in the system by increasing the concentration and binding activity of the body’s own neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine. Thus, what people experience as the stimulant effect is an intensification of the body’s normal stimulatory mechanisms. (Pharmacodynamics: Cocaines Interaction with the Human Organism,

    Read More

  • Cocaine in the Brain

    1216 Words  | 3 Pages

    When a person takes cocaine, it causes a rush. There is between one or two minutes of intense pleasure. This is followed by five to 8 minutes of euphoria, then as the high comes down, an overwhelming urge for more, which may last for a day. (3) When a user is between cocaine doses or halts usage, the opposite effects occur. The user is depressed and tired (2).

    Read More

  • Youth and Substance Abuse

    1740 Words  | 4 Pages

    Liehr, P, Marcus, M, Carroll, D, Granmayeh, K L, Cron, S, Pennebaker, J ;( Apr-Jun 2010). Substance Abuse; Vol. 31 (2); 79-85. Doi: 10.1080/08897071003641271

    Read More

  • Drug Addiction: A Brain Disease?

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    Drugs seem to cause surges in dopamine neurotransmitters and other pleasure brain messengers. However, the brain quickly adapts and these circuits desensitize, which allows for withdrawal symptoms to occur (3). Drug addiction works on some of the same neurobiological mechanisms that aid in learning and memories (3). "This new view of dopamine as an aid to learning rather than a pleasure mediator may help explain why many addictive drugs, which unleash massive surges of the neurotransmitter in the brain, can drive continued use without producing pleasure-as when cocaine addicts continue to take hits long after the euphoric effects of the drug have worn off or when smokers smoke after cigarettes become distasteful." (4)

    Read More

  • Impacts of Acute vs Chronic Cocaine Use on Heart

    1571 Words  | 4 Pages

    Cocaine is an addictive drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant. It is a strong stimulant mostly used as a recreational drug. Cocaine is commonly snorted, inhaled, or injected into the veins. It is one of the most widespread drugs in the United States. It is readily absorbed through the body’s mucous membranes. The onset of the action depends on the route of administration, which can take between three seconds to five minutes. Peak effects also depend on the route of administration which can take between one to twenty minutes or five to ninety minutes. Cocaine has a half-life of thirty to sixty minutes. Approximately 25-30 million Americans use cocaine

    Read More

  • Past and Current Trends of Drug Abuse in the United States

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    The use of cocaine in the United States has declined over the last twenty years while the use of crack has increased. Many people avoided the use of crack because of the harmful chemicals used in creating the drug. One of the reasons why crack became popular is because of not needing to inject the drug hence less risks of being infected by the AIDS virus. Carroll (2000) states cocaine is the most powerful stimulant of natural origin. Most users snort or inject the drug to enable a quicker “high.” Cocaine use brings on many health problems. Fatal complications occur from regular use, for example, liver damage, seizures, elevated blood pressure causing stroke, heart failure, or heart attack.

    Read More

  • Cocaine

    367 Words  | 1 Pages

    Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug of abuse. Individuals who have tried cocaine have described the experience as a powerful high that gave them a feeling of supremacy. However, once someone starts taking cocaine, one cannot predict or control the extent to which he or she will continue to use the drug. The major ways of taking cocaine are sniffing or snorting, injecting, and smoking (including free-base and crack cocaine).

    Read More

  • Reward System And The Reward System

    1408 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this review, I will be covering some specific uses of this system. I will be explaining what cocaine addiction and pair-bonding have in common and what pathways it uses, in the DA reward system in the brain. All though there are some main brain regions in this system that control specific features of behavior, we have to keep in mind that all types of rewards simultaneously us...

    Read More

  • Facts On Cocaine

    2772 Words  | 6 Pages

    Cocaine is a powerful central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that heightens alertness, inhibits appetite and the need for sleep, and provides intense feelings of pleasure. It is prepared from the leaf of the Erythroxylon coca bush, which grows primarily in Peru and Bolivia.

    Read More

  • Cocaine

    1907 Words  | 4 Pages

    First of all this research paper will examine the history of cocaine, answer exactly who used it, effects of the drug and its addictive nature. People choose to write about cocaine so that others can clearly see and understand its historical origins and dangerous properties. Those who experiment with drugs should become aware of their dangerous effects and take caution. The more people that become knowledgeable about cocaine, the more they can protect themselves from seriously endangering themselves. Cocaine users that are seriously dependent on the drug can seek treatment and rehabilitate. Most cocaine users do not realize they have a problem until it becomes too late. Much like the alcoholic, a cocaine dependent’s body has accepted the drug and is used to it being in the body’s system. When the body needs it, and the user does not have it, withdrawal takes place. In this case, a long, gradual process of lessening the dosage is the only route for success.

    Read More

  • Cocaine Essay

    552 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cocaine can be snorted, smoked, injected or even chewed; it can be consumed in any way as long as it ends up in the blood stream. It is a stimulant drug, meaning the messages travelling between the brain and body speed up. Cocaine affects the production, uptake and breaking down of three chemicals that naturally take place in the brain. These are: Dopamine, Serotonin and Norepinephrine. ...

    Read More

  • Addiction in Adolescents

    992 Words  | 2 Pages

    Leshner, A. (2011) Addiction Is a Brain Disease, and it Matters. Frontiers in Neuroscience: The Science of Substance Abuse.

    Read More

  • Cocaine Use In Society: The Use Of Drugs In Our Society

    1827 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of the ever growing issues in our society is the use of drugs. Drugs come in many different shapes and sizes and can be consumed in a variety of ways. The drug epidemic is taking over our society and resulting in several drug addictions. There are a multitude of drugs that are used throughout the world and there is also a multitude of these drugs that are being abused. Drugs are used by many for several reasons whether it is to relax their body, to temporarily remove the stresses out of their lives, or for social acceptance drugs are being used. There are many reasons why drugs are an ever growing issue in our society. Although there are many types of drugs that exist, one of the most widely known and commonly abused drugs is cocaine. Cocaine

    Read More

More about The Physiological Effects of Cocaine in the Neurosystem

Open Document