Drug use alters brain chemistry from "summary" of Drugs, Addiction, and the Brain by George F. Koob,Michael A. Arends,Michel Le Moal
Drug use alters brain chemistry by changing the way neurons communicate with each other. Neurons are the basic building blocks of the brain, responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals. When drugs are introduced into the brain, they disrupt this delicate balance by mimicking or interfering with natural neurotransmitters. For example, drugs like cocaine and amphetamines can increase the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This flood of dopamine can create feelings of euphoria and reinforcement, encouraging the user to seek out the drug again and again. On the other hand, drugs like opioids can bind to receptors in the brain that are normally activated by endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. By hijacking these receptors, opioids can dampen pain signals and produce a sense of relaxation and well-being. Ov...
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