Effects of Psychoactive Drugs on the Brain Stress and Sleep

¶ … Psychoactive Drugs

The drug chosen is Cocaine, and it is listed to be "… a psychomotor stimulant, this class of drug produces their effect on the brain by simulating the actions of certain neurotransmitters, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin." (Emery, & Oltmanns, 2010) These effects would be known as the "pleasure" aspect of the drug, but there is also a second aspect to the drug's effects that are responsible for the addiction, called "plasticity" (Amaro et al.). A drug-induced plasticity is "tolerance, sensitization and physical dependence" on the drug cocaine (Amaro et al.). The part of the brain that cocaine targets is the amygdala, specifically the reward pathways found in the brain. Cocaine effects the reward pathways by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine into nerve terminals (Emery, & Oltmanns, 2010). Specifically cocaine reacts with dopamine, and would be considered an antagonist because it is similar enough to occupy the same site as dopamine, but will not allow it to be received in the transmitter (Huffman, 2007).

In this way, cocaine and other stimulants are known for causing psychosis in people who abuse them for long-term, or use doses that are too high -- even in those people who have never had a history of mental illness (Emery, & Oltmanns, 2010). Cocaine and other stimulants are often used for various reasons. Because they are stimulants to the sympathetic nervous system, these drugs increase heart rate, blood pressure and the amount of air that enters the lungs; as well as suppressing one's appetite and need for sleep (Emery, & Oltmanns, 2010). Over time, users of cocaine may begin to show certain impairments and stresses to the brain due to abuse of the drug such as "impaired attention, learning, memory, reaction time, and cognitive flexibility." (Amaro et al.) In addition to showing impairments to normal brain functions, the most common stresses this drug imparts on the body are depression. Most likely because cocaine gives the user such an instant feeling of euphoria and well-being that only lasts for short while, once the drug has worn off feelings of depression and lethargy replace any feelings of happiness (Emery, & Oltmanns, 2010).