Human Brain and Drugs of Abuse - Essay Example

DRUGS OF ABUSE Several studies and reports ities have proven that there is growing incidence of intentional abuse of drugs. These drugs are commonly used as pain relievers, tranquilizers, sedatives and stimulants used by people of varied ages, both from developing and industrialized countries. According to Canadian Centre on Drug Abuse (2004; p 6), the moment drugs are used exclusively to build up intensely pleasurable feelings, it is then called drug abuse, and its prolonged use can lead to either physical or psychological dependence, or both. Additionally, there are four classes of drugs: stimulants, hallucinogens, depressants, and anabolic steroids; all creates different effects on the central nervous system – the brain and spinal cord. The human brain is the one of the largest and most complex organ in the body. This organ consist of gray and white matter and is the focal point of all human activity—controlling all movements and coordination when a person need to breathe, drive a car, eat some snacks, create some artistic masterpiece, and many other things. Note that, human brain has three very vital areas that can be damaged by drug abuse. The brain stem, which controls basic functions crucial to life, examples include: breathing, heart rate, and sleeping; The limbic system, which consist of the brain’s reward circuit, whereby brain structures are link together, control and regulate a person’s ability to sense pleasure as well as motivates to repeat behaviors like eating. Then, the limbic system that is practically activated the moment people perform activities including drugs of abuse. Furthermore, the limbic system is accountable for perception of other emotions, whether it is positive or negative, and this explains the mood-altering characteristics of many drugs. Probably, the most essential part of the brain is the cerebral cortex, since this area is occupied by structures controlling the senses, enabling people to see, feel, hear, and also to taste. Cerebral cortex is also the “thinking” area of the brain, very essential for memory, association of facts and events and also for decision making process. Entirely, the brain basically regulates individuals’ basic body functions, including the process of interpreting facts as well as responding to experiences, emotions, and even behavior. Indeed, the brain is composed of many parts which all work together as one team and these parts are responsible for coordinating and conducting particular functions. However, drugs can modify important brain areas which are essential for life-sustaining functions; it can drive the uncontrollable drug abuse which marks addiction. The areas of the brain are certainly affected by drug abuse (National Institutes of Health - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008; p 15). Drugs are chemicals that can work in the brain by means of tapping into the brain’s system of communication as well as interfering with the pattern, through which nerve cells usually send, obtain, and process information. There are some drugs, like marijuana and heroin that can activate neurons since their chemical structure mimics or copy other natural neurotransmitter. These resemblances in structure tend to “fool” receptors and permit the drugs to lock onto and set in motion the nerve cells. Despite this mimicry, chemicals don’t activate nerve cells in the manner which is the same as a natural neurotransmitter. Instead, they lead to abnormal data being transmitted in the course of the network (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2006). Furthermore, other drugs like amphetamine or cocaine are proven to cause the nerve cells to liberate abnormally large amounts of neurotransmitters. This distraction produces a seriously amplified message, in due course disrupting communication channels. All drugs of abuse usually directly or indirectly target the reward system of the brain by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is one form of neurotransmitter present in several parts of the brain which regulate movement, emotion, motivation, cognition, and also feelings of pleasure. Once there is overstimulation of this system that rewards the person’s natural behaviors, it produces the euphoric effects wanted by people who engage or abuse drugs, at the same time, teaches them to replicate the same behavior. The brains are naturally wired to ensure that life-sustaining activities can be repeated by associating those activities together with pleasure or reward. The moment a reward circuit is activated, the brain notes teach us to do the same activities again and again, without even thinking about it. Since drugs of abuse arouse the same circuit, abusing drugs in the same way is always possible. Moreover, chronic exposure to drugs of abuse disorders the way critical brain parts interact to control behavior, behavior which in particular related to drug abuse. Obviously, continued abuse may also lead to addiction that can compel an abuser to look for and take drugs spontaneously (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2006). Drug addiction wear downs a person’s self-control as well as the ability to make sound decisions, whereas sending powerful impulses to take drugs. Also, drug abuse and mental disorders frequently co-exist. Although, there are some cases that mental diseases cam precede addiction; sometimes, drug abuse may elicit or exacerbate mental disorders, predominantly in people with specific vulnerabilities. 20 As to the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (1995; p 49), there is a need for a mechanism of collaboration in order to focus teamwork among international agencies on chosen drug abuse problems. The preventive programs which address drug abuse among children in the developing world: volatile solvents, use of marijuana, glues and other cheap exhilarating substances could be an ideal example potential for collaboration among stakeholders. The world has long time carried the burden of substance abuse among young people and older adults, whether it is for medical purposes or pastime. The increased and rampant use or abuse of drugs surely create effects in the brain, and studies suggest, however, that even drug abuse on average degree may pose high risks to older adults. Unluckily, the interaction between aging process and drug abuse is poorly understood, since several adults and young ones engaged in many drug related activities. Meeting these challenges requires better understanding about the scope of the problem and effects of drug abuse to everyone. Brain imaging investigations across the lifespan would certainly provide new insight towards the long-term impacts of drug abuse in teenagers and older adults. Explorations on issues of polypharmacy, adverse effects of drugs, medical comorbidity, changes in pharmacokinetics and also the pharmacodynamic clinical trials are essential to understand drugs of abuse. It is the appropriate time to successfully address and heighten awareness of this issue not just for the sake of health-care professionals but also of the general public. REFERENCES Drug Enforcement Administration (2005). Drugs of Abuse. US Department of Justice. Health Canada (2000). Straight Facts About Drugs & Drug Abuse. Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (H39-65/2000E). National Institute on Drug Abuse (2006). NIDA infofacts. US Department of Health & Human Services. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (2004). Canadian Addiction Survey. Dowling, J.G.,Weiss, S.R.B. and Condon, T.P. (2008) Perspective Drugs of Abuse and the Aging Brain Neuropsychopharmacology 33, 209–218. Nature Publishing Group. Read More