Neuropsychopharmacolog

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Biological Aspects in Drug Addiction
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Biological Aspects in Drug Addiction
Introduction
Addiction causes both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Some argue
that substance misuse stems from a lack of willpower; however, everyone is affected by chronic
drug addiction. People unable to resist certain impulses are in danger of developing a drug
addiction; thus, this research looks into the biological factors that influence drug use, addiction,
and treatment.
Addiction as a brain disorder is axiomatic. The brain constantly processes information
from the environment to function as conditions change which helps us adjust to changing
conditions. Outer sensations and internal changes like heart rate and temperature feed the brain.
Each brain component has a specific job.
Drugs affect the brain stem, limbic system, and cerebral cortex. The brain stem governs
survival functions which informs the brain of body events, while our limbic system regulates
emotions. We repeat satisfactory responses because they make us feel good. Each cerebral lobe
has a distinct role. Frontal cortex controls decision-making and problem-solving.
Neuropsychopharmacology
An individual's brain and behaviour are profoundly altered by drug addiction. The effects
will still be felt long after someone stops using the medication. Drugs alter the chemistry of the
brain by overdosing it with dopamine. This molecule regulates emotions and feelings of
pleasure, directly impacting the probability of someone developing an addiction to the substance.
Dopamine overuse impairs cognitive function and decision-making. The communication system
in the brain is affected, which has an impact on mood, behaviour, and cognitive performance.
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Distinct medications have different impacts on the behaviour and brain. People who drink
alcohol, for instance, enjoy how it reduces stress and makes them happier and more sociable.
Endorphins released by alcohol bind to the brain's opioid receptors. According to research, even
a small amount of alcohol consumption might harm the brain; they discovered that moderate
drinking causes the brain's hippocampal region to shrink (Lu et al.,2012). Because the
hippocampus is the part of the brain in charge of cognitive reasoning, shrinking is significant.
Alcohol has an impact on coordination and delayed decision-making abilities. Brain effects of
marijuana, much like how alcohol does. The drug may have long-term impacts on the brain,
including memory loss and reduced problem-solving skills. In the United States, oxycodone
addiction has become a serious issue. It is an extremely addictive kind of opiate drug. When
oxycodone for pain relief is used inappropriately, a person might develop an addiction to the
euphoric effects of the drug.
The brain is no longer receiving pain signals thanks to oxycodone. If they cannot obtain
the drug, an oxycodone addict might exhibit illogical behaviour. To obtain the substance, they
might conduct crimes and engage in criminal activity.
Addiction biopsychology
Biopsychology explains addiction. One theory says drug addicts use bigger dosages to
improve their mood and cope with physical and mental pain because they like life and want
pleasure (McGinty et al.,2015). Traditional addiction theory is the Opponent Process Theory.
People initially take drugs for how they make them feel, but they get dependent and need more to
get high. If they do not get the drug, they have withdrawal symptoms. Not all medicines create
severe withdrawal symptoms, limiting this idea. After a period without medication, recurrence is
likely.
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Positive Incentive Theory proposes that drugs build a strong connection to natural reward
regions. Implicit learning is unconscious stimulus-response learning. Implicit learning does not
induce automatic responses; hence this idea is flawed. The Incentive Sensitization Theory of
Addiction explains how people become hooked to substances. According to the notion, frequent
drug use changes brain cells and creates drug sensitivity. Incentive sensitization makes users
seek drugs years after quitting. The addict's motivation makes them desire more drugs, and they
will do anything to get them. Pavlovian conditioning, Instrumental transfers, and conditioned
reinforcement support incentive sensitization. These modifications make drug usage compulsive.
Conclusion
Initial studies of the neurobiology of drug addiction focused on the acute impact of drug
abuse. Now, the attention is changing to chronic administration and the acute and long-term
neuroadaptive alterations in the brain that result in relapse. The research examines the cellular
and molecular factors that control the switch from occasional drug use to out-of-control drug
seeking. Psychiatry provides positive and negative reinforcement for drug use. Drug addiction
has impulse control and compulsive issues, according to a study. Thus the research aims to
provide a scientific strategy for avoiding addiction by studying the many stages of addiction.
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REFERENCES
Lu, J. J., Pan, W., Hu, Y. J., & Wang, Y. T. (2012). Multi-target drugs: the trend of drug research
and development. PloS one, 7(6), e40262.
McGinty, E. E., Goldman, H. H., Pescosolido, B., & Barry, C. L. (2015). Portraying mental illness
and drug addiction as treatable health conditions: effects of a randomized experiment on
stigma and discrimination. Social science & medicine, 126, 73-85.

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Biological Aspects in Drug Addiction

Biological Aspects in Drug Addiction

Addiction as a brain disorder is axiomatic. The brain constantly processes information

Each brain component has a specific job.

has a distinct role. Frontal cortex controls decision-making and problem-solving.

euphoric effects of the drug.

might conduct crimes and engage in criminal activity.

and development. PloS one, 7(6), e40262.

and drug addiction as treatable health conditions: effects of a randomized experiment on

stigma and discrimination. Social science & medicine, 126, 73-85.

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