Neurotransmitters like dopamine can be manipulated by drugs from "summary" of Never Enough by Judith Grisel
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that governs our ability to feel pleasure and to want things. Drugs can manipulate dopamine levels in the brain, causing intense feelings of pleasure and desire that can be difficult to achieve naturally. This manipulation can lead to addiction by creating a powerful drive to seek out the substance that caused those feelings. Drugs essentially hijack the brain's reward system, making it difficult for individuals to resist the urge to use them again. The brain is wired to seek out pleasure and avoid pain, and when dopamine levels are artificially elevated by drugs, the brain interprets this as an overwhelmingly positive experience. This can create a cycle of drug use and craving, as the brain becomes increasingly reliant on the substance to produce feelings of pleasure. Over time, the brain may become desensitized to the effects of the drug, leading individuals to seek out higher doses or more potent substances to achieve the same level of pleasure. The manipulation of dopamine by drugs can have lasting effects on the brain's reward system. Chronic drug use can disrupt the natural balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to changes in mood, motivation, and decision-making. These changes can make it harder for individuals to experience pleasure from everyday activities and can make it more challenging for them to resist the urge to use drugs. While the brain has the capacity to heal and adapt, the effects of drug manipulation on dopamine levels can be long-lasting. Even after individuals stop using drugs, they may continue to experience cravings and difficulty experiencing pleasure. This highlights the importance of understanding the impact of drug use on the brain and the potential long-term consequences of manipulating neurotransmitters like dopamine.
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