What causes regular cocaine users to chose that "initial high"? CASE STUDY: Chocolate vs. Drugs and DopamineWhen a person eats chocolate (and enjoys it),the initial experiences with eating the choco-late releases dopamine levels in the brain. Thisproduces pleasurable and rewarding feelings inthe brain, which results in an expectation everytime chocolate is eaten. However, after a periodof time, the expectation of pleasure derived fromchocolate becomes the pleasure feeling, anddopamine is no longer released in the brainwhen chocolate is eaten.Contrast this to when an illicit drug is taken,let's say cocaine. Dopamine is released in thebrain, up to 10 times the normal level. Thesehigh levels of dopamine are very rewarding andencourage users to seek out more cocaine.Now, unlike eating chocolate, cocaine produceshigher levels of dopamine each time it is taken,producing more rewarding experiences andencourages the user to take in more cocaine.Furthermore, the brain tries to compensate forthe increase in dopamine by desensitizing theneurons so they are not affected as easily by thesurge in dopamine. This is what creates toleranceto the drug. Thus, after using cocaine for a periodof time, the increase in dopamine does not pro-duce the same pleasurable feeling compared tothe first few times cocaine was used. Thus peopleare constantly chasing that initial "high" and usemore of the drug, more often to gain it.QUESTIONS TO PONDER:1. How is dopamine affected by chocolate andcocaine similar and different?2. What causes regular cocaine users to chasethat "initial high"?3. If a person who was a regular cocaine user wereto stop suddenly, do you think they would receivepleasure from other activities that naturally pro-duce dopamine (i.e., sex)? Justify your answer.Source: D. Hirshman, "Your Brain on Drugs: Dopamine and Addiction."Available at: www.bigthink.com/going-mental/your-brain-on-drugs-dopamine-and-addiction.

Answered: What causes regular cocaine users to…

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)

11th Edition

ISBN:9780134580999

Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...

See similar textbooks

Related questions

Question

100%

What causes regular cocaine users to chose that "initial high"?

CASE STUDY: Chocolate vs. Drugs and Dopamine
When a person eats chocolate (and enjoys it),
the initial experiences with eating the choco-
late releases dopamine levels in the brain. This
produces pleasurable and rewarding feelings in
the brain, which results in an expectation every
time chocolate is eaten. However, after a period
of time, the expectation of pleasure derived from
chocolate becomes the pleasure feeling, and
dopamine is no longer released in the brain
when chocolate is eaten.
Contrast this to when an illicit drug is taken,
let's say cocaine. Dopamine is released in the
brain, up to 10 times the normal level. These
high levels of dopamine are very rewarding and
encourage users to seek out more cocaine.
Now, unlike eating chocolate, cocaine produces
higher levels of dopamine each time it is taken,
producing more rewarding experiences and
encourages the user to take in more cocaine.
Furthermore, the brain tries to compensate for
the increase in dopamine by desensitizing the
neurons so they are not affected as easily by the
surge in dopamine. This is what creates tolerance
to the drug. Thus, after using cocaine for a period
of time, the increase in dopamine does not pro-
duce the same pleasurable feeling compared to
the first few times cocaine was used. Thus people
are constantly chasing that initial "high" and use
more of the drug, more often to gain it.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
1. How is dopamine affected by chocolate and
cocaine similar and different?
2. What causes regular cocaine users to chase
that "initial high"?
3. If a person who was a regular cocaine user were
to stop suddenly, do you think they would receive
pleasure from other activities that naturally pro-
duce dopamine (i.e., sex)? Justify your answer.
Source: D. Hirshman, "Your Brain on Drugs: Dopamine and Addiction."
Available at: www.bigthink.com/going-mental/your-brain-on-drugs
-dopamine-and-addiction.

Expert Solution

Step 1

Cocaine, a highly addictive stimulant narcotic, is derived from the leaves of the South American native coca plant. Despite it can be used by medical professionals for legitimate medical reasons, such as local anesthetic during specific procedures, recreational cocaine usage is prohibited. Cocaine's appearance as a street drug is that of a white, fine, crystal powder. Individuals generally rub cocaine into their gums or inhale it into their noses. Others inject the dissolved powder into their bloodstream.

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTION Check out a sample Q&A here

Knowledge Booster

Learn more about

Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.

Similar questions