Print

Drugs

The Basics...


Drugs, such as cocaine and alcohol, typically exert their effect at the synapse between two neurons. When this effect occurs in the pleasure/reward center of the brain, the drug can become addictive, making you crave more and more. Typically, this addiction involves either increasing the amount or prolonging the effect of the neurotransmitter dopamine. More dopamine means more happy.

The Lesson...


Use the instructions below to investigate how drugs affect the brain and how they become addictive...
  1. Go to the following website: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/reward/(external link)
  2. Read the page and complete the "Explore!" activities Make a Mad, Mad, Mad Neuron and Crossing the Divide: How Neurons Talk to Each Other. Also complete the Reward Pathway Reinforces Behavior slide show in the middle of the page.
  3. Now go to this page: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/drugs/(external link)
  4. Read this page and complete the "Explore!" activity Mouse Party. Also click the links and read Drug Delivery Methods, The Brain's Other Pathways, How Drugs Can Kill, and How Pet Scans Can Measure Brain Activity. You should also "Explore!" Drugs of Abuse.
  5. More information on genetics and other issues in addiction can be found on the site's homepage: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/(external link)