Discuss the evidence for a dopaminergic system that is involved in reward and drug addiction.
Hemis no: 127844 Word Count: 1,962 PS2060B Biological Psychology Discuss the evidence for a dopaminergic system that is involved in reward and drug addiction Most drugs affect the brain and behaviour by changing synaptic transmissions (Rosenzweig 1999). In order to discuss the evidence for a dopaminergic system that is involved in reward and drug addiction, we need to establish the relationship that a dopaminergic system has with drug reward and drug addiction. In essence when we are discussing a dopaminergic system we are making reference to neurotransmitter systems. The intricacies involving the brain, neurochemically have become more prevalent through processes such as immunocytochemistry. Through such processes we are able to locate substances within the nervous system as well as identifying neurotransmitters. Dopamine and seratonin are neurotransmitters, which are integral in relation to drugs whether it is used for drug reward or drug addiction. This essay will focus on such neurotransmitters in order to discuss evidence for a dopaminergic system that is involved in reward and drug addiction. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and seratonin originate from the family of monoamines. Monoamines are classified into to groups, catecholamine and indolemine. Dopamine is within the catecholamine class and seratonin along with another prominent neurotransmitter
Discuss current research into the causes of addiction, using specified examples
Addiction - chemical dependence or habit? Discuss current research into the causes of addiction, using specified examples. I this essay I will attempt to explore the causes of addiction. "Everyone engages in addictive behaviours to some extent because such things as eating, drinking, and sex are essential to survival and highly reinforcing," says G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., director of the Addictive Behaviours Research Centre at the University of Washington. "We get immediate gratification from them and find them very hard to give up indeed. That's a pretty good definition of addiction." (Rodgers 1994:1) Many people experiment with potentially addictive drugs. About 60% of Americans sample an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime (Johnston et al. 2001). If alcohol is included, the percentage of Americans exposed to a potentially addictive drug rises to over 90%, but few of these people become addicts. Even for a very addictive drug like cocaine, only 15-16% of people become addicted within 10 years of first use (Johnston et al. 2001). Substantial numbers of people do become addicts, of course, but the fact remains that drug use does not inevitably lead to addiction. Addiction is more than mere drug use. It is defined specifically as a compulsive pattern of drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviour that takes place at the expense of most other activities. The key questions
With reference to recent research, discuss the ways in which drugs affect human behaviour.
With reference to recent research, discuss the ways in which drugs affect human behaviour. Behaviour is a hard word to define as it has no clear beginning or end. The analysis of behaviour is specifically to describe the interaction of the organism's brain with the environment. This environment consists of the outside world and the organism's internal environment. The brain plays a major part of that internal environment and the behaviour produced becomes a part of the external environment. Behaviourism was first introduced in the early twentieth century by an American Psychologist, John Watson. He claimed that behaviour was the real subject matter for psychology as it was public, measurable, reproducible and open to scientific method. Psychologists and pharmacologists who study particular effects of drugs on behaviour often refer to their field as psychopharmacology. There have been several principles put forward to explain behavioural pharmacology, the main principle states that 'changes in our brain chemistry produce changes in our behaviour'. Virtually all our behaviour is under the control of the nervous system, and the effect of most behaviourally active drugs can ultimately be traced to a direct or an indirect action on some aspect of the functioning of the nervous system. The source of power for the electrical activity of the nervous system comes from an
Using the structural, historical and cultural dimensions of the sociological imagination, identify the critical issues that relate to how western medicine has responded to the challenge of alternative medicine.
SECTION C QUESTION 7: Using the structural, historical and cultural dimensions of the sociological imagination, identify the critical issues that relate to how western medicine has responded to the challenge of alternative medicine. In today's public health system, western medicine dominates over all other forms of medicine. Having said so, there has been a rise in the use of alternative medicines. In response to this challenge, western medicine is trying to fight off this challenge by excluding, subordinating, limiting and incorporating alternative medicine into mainstream medicine. Western medicines view on health is that of the biomedical model. Its biological in nature, therefore it reduces illness to a biological process. Its scientific in nature, thus regards the scientific method as providing the only means by which to access valid knowledge. Its mechanistic in nature, therefore conceptualizes the separation of body and mind and perceives the body as a machine of which a disease is a malfunctioning part that requires fixing, and the biomedical model emphasize on finding a cure, rather than prevention of the disease. In contrast, alternative medicine practitioners regard health and illness not only as a physical matter, but also as an emotional and spiritual one. The common idea here is of the healing impulse or 'life force' within the body. They take a holistic
Outline the economic arguments for and against legalising cannabis use in the UK.
Outline the ECONOMIC arguments FOR and AGAINST legalising cannabis use in the UK Cannabis is a drug that is widely used throughout the UK and the world. In the UK, cannabis is illegal and being found in possession of it can bring on a prison sentence and a hefty fine. The title of this essay is about the economic arguments for and against legalising cannabis in the UK. I will look into the advantages and disadvantages of whether legalising cannabis will benefit the UK, or worsen the UK. So far the argument has been that the government has now had a change of heart on their opinion of cannabis. They feel that cannabis is a drug that has its positive aspects, and should be distinguished between the more hardcore drugs, e.g. Heroin, Cocaine. However, there are arguments to not legalising it, one being it can influence younger children. Cannabis is an illegal substance. It comes from the cannabis sativa plant. It can come in various forms, which include a dark, solid lump known as resin, or crushed flower heads & leaves (sometimes with stalks and seeds) called grass, or occasionally, as an oil. Cannabis plants can grow up to 1.8 m (6ft) tall. It can be rolled with tobacco - called a spliff or joint - or smoked on its own in a pipe. It can also be eaten, sometimes in a cake. There are many slang names for cannabis, some of which are marijuana, weed, hash, spliff, and
Legalization Of Marijuana
Marijuana for Medicinal Purpose 1 Legalization Of Marijuana Karen Meikle English 105 Farida Jararah October 14, 2003 Marijuana for Medicinal Purpose 2 I. Legalizing Marijuana A. Legalized for Medicinal Purposes B. Less expensive to produce II. Marijuana Therapy A. Suppresses Nausea B. Relieves Pain C. Stimulates Appetite III. Medical Benefits of Marijuana A. Relieves pain of Multiple Sclerosis B. Ease pain in Limbs of AIDS sufferers C. Stimulates appetite of AIDS sufferers D. Controls glaucoma Marijuana for Medicinal Purpose 3 Although legalizing marijuana is a controversial topic, its legalization for medicinal purposes should not be an issue because it helps in reducing pain, and is also a treatment for some terminal illnesses. A few states, (eight to be exact) the most notable California, says marijuana use ought to be legal if prescribed by a doctor for critically ill patients, and they have sanctioned growing the plant for medicinal purposes. However in the other forty two states it is known to be illegal. Marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes. Any health effects it may cause pales in comparison to the pain and suffering
'Should the widespread use of antibiotics continue?'
'Should the widespread use of antibiotics continue?' The first antibiotic, penicillin, went into mass production in 1945 (5) and before this time, antibiotics were not used in medical practice and the majority of bacteria were characteristically sensitive to antibiotics. As these drugs became widely used and they still are, the bacterial resistance to one or more antibiotics has increased so much that antibiotics which were previously widely effective are no longer useful against certain bacterial types. In most cases, antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is not due to mutation where the protein that the antibiotic attacks is altered. Instead, antiobiotic resistance in nature normally involves the bacteria producing enzymes which target the antibiotic making it inactive. An important reason why the widespread use of antibiotics should not continue is that if a bacterium becomes resistant to all antibiotics availible and passes on these characteristics, then there could be a worldwide epidemic of disease. On April 28 1994, it was reported that some bacteria in patient samples could resist all currently availible antibiotics (2). In order to prevent this from happening on a massive scale, the use of antibiotics should be kept to a minimum and there should be larger investments into alternative treatments. During 1979-1987, 0.02% of pneumococcus strains were penicillin
Letter to an M.P. Concerning Cannabis
Letter to an M.P. Concerning Cannabis 0 Wall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 4DF 8 March 2001 Sir Norman Fowler c/o House of Commons, Westminster, London, W12 3HC Dear Sir Norman, Cannabis is a naturally occurring substance that can act as a relaxant and mild hallucinogenic. Cannabis can be smoked with or without tobacco, filtered through water, cooled or inhaled using all manner of drug paraphernalia, or eaten. The Labour Government at present opposes the legalisation of cannabis not only for recreational use but also for those using it as a pain reliever, some of whom are sent to jail for doing so. If cannabis was legalised it could help a lot of people. The medical benefits of cannabis have been proven by extensive medical research. This research has led to disproving many myths about the drug, e.g. it does not cause cancer, damage the lungs, impair short-term memory, nor causes brain damage. It is tobacco that cannabis is usually smoked with which causes these illnesses. Cannabis helps to ease pain, nausea and vomiting caused by serious illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis. It can improve the quality of life of many sufferers. It is less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. It should be a matter of choice whether or not people smoke cannabis because it is a fundamental human right that they can decide for themselves and this
Investigate the solubility of table salt (NaCl) in distilled water at different temperatures.
THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS IN RELATION TO BIOCHEMICAL, BEHAVIOURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS The aim of this essay is to explain and discuss the drug cannabis and its effects in relation to biochemical, behavioural and psychological factors. The introduction will outline a brief history relating to the drug and include both the medicinal and recreational purposes of its use. The main discussion will explain how the drug chemistry affects the nervous system emphasising what neurotransmitter is effected and also what behavioural and psychological implications this has on the user. Finally I will conclude by summarising the main points of the discussion outlining both the long and short term overall effects of cannabis, evaluating what the relative costs and benefits are to the user. Cannabis, commonly known as Marijuana is a member of the Cannabinaceae originating from the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa). It is described as a naturally grown erect, bushy herb plant with saw toothed leaves and fluted stalks ranging in height from three feet to twenty five feet approximately. Cannabis is available in three main forms, as a dried herb (usually known as grass), as a resin (usually known as hash or hashish) that is extracted from the buds and flower heads and as a sticky liquid (hash oil) which is prepared from the resin. The exact origins of cannabis have never been clearly
Should drugs be legalised? There is now considerable debate about whether to legalise or at least decriminalise certain drugs, in particular Cannabis.
Should drugs be legalised? There is now considerable debate about whether to legalise or at least decriminalise certain drugs, in particular Cannabis. The current situation in the UK is that the government is firmly against the legalisation or decriminalisation of any drug, controlled by "The misuse of Drug Act 1971". Between the years 1995-8 the government proposed to introduce a new strategy, which while maintaining the emphasis on law enforcement and reducing supply, it also recognised the need for stronger actions on reducing the demand for illegal drugs. This was the so-called "Tackling Drugs Together" strategy. Thereafter, in 1998, the government launched its 10-year strategy "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better". Building on the previous government strategy, it also set out 4 key aims: These were; firstly to help young people resist drug misuse, so that they can achieve their full potential in society. Secondly to protect the community from drug related crimes, thirdly was to enable people with drug problems to overcome them and Lastly to stop availability of illegal drugs on the street. There are two forms of drugs on the street today, Hard and Soft drugs, obviously the Hard are the most dangerous ones. The main types of drugs are; > Opiates, such as Heroin > Stimulates, such as Cocaine, Amphetamines and Ecstasy > Tranquillisers > Hallucinogens, such as LSD