Brain-Behaviour relationship - Essay Example

Brain-Behaviour relationship Brain-behaviour relationship In January this year the President of the United s, Barrack Obama stated that "cannabis is no more dangerous than alcohol". According to Volkow and Li (2004), there are legal and illegal drugs. Examples of legal drugs include alcohol and nicotine while cocaine and heroin are good examples of illegal drugs. Cannabis is legal in some states in the United States. It is important to posit that drugs are misused for a number of reasons ranging from for medical reasons to enjoyment or recreational purposes.

Misuse of drugs is dangerous as it negatively affects the general health of individuals. This paper evaluates the evidence supporting the Presidents claim with particular reference to low dose, and recreational use of each drug. Chronic consumption of alcohol consumption has been proved to negatively affect the brain. Oscar-Berman and Marinkovic brings forward the fact that "alcohol intoxication disrupts neurophysiological indices of stimulus processing in attentional, sematic, and psychomotor domains" (243).

Methodical investigations conducted in the past elucidated that consumption of alcohol elevates the probability of belligerent or violent conduct. This fact is reiterated by Chermack and Blow (2001) in a study conducted in Michigan Alcohol Research Centre (UMARC). Subsequently, small quantities of alcohol have been scientifically proved to reduce sexual drive. Alcohols also injures the anterior systems of the brain hence leading to sentimental anomalies and alteration of character. A investigation done on mice showed that constant consumption of alcohol slow down or hinders development during adolescent stage (Zou et-al, 2009).

This is true to humans as studies conducted on mice are proved to be close replicas to human beings. Small doses of alcohol as posited by Spagnolli et-al (2013) "interferes with the reward brain network and the ventral visual system" (p. 1329). This elucidates and clarifies the reasons why even a small quantity of alcohol changes peoples disposition as well as conduct. Cannabis is an example of an illicit drug. Illicit drugs such as Cannabis also affects individuals both physically and mentally.

It is important to note that the damage caused by cannabis to the brain is similar to the damage caused to the brain by other main drugs. Therefore, the effects of cannabis and alcohol to the brain are analogueous (Stanwood and Levitt, 2003). Studies conducted in the past showed that cannabis affects physical and mental growth and development of infants if abused by pregnant women. Similarly according to Riley and McGee (2005), alcohol consumption during pregnancy may lead to lasting damage to the brain of the infant.

The effects subsequently affects the manners of conduct of the child. This is according to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) investigations conducted in a San Diego laboratory on infants (Riley and McGee 2005). A study conducted by Parker et-al (2011)also showed a relationship between drug abuse particularly indulgence of alcohol and high rates of crime. The fact that past methodical investigations have alluded that the effects or damage of alcohol and cannabis to the brain are similar supports President Obamas statement that cannabis is no more dangerous than alcohol.

Both affects the growth and development of the brain in infants when these drugs are misused by pregnant women. In conclusion, drugs are misused for various reasons including for enjoyment and medical reasons. Both alcohol and cannabis affect individuals physically and mentally. These drugs affect the brain development in children if consumed by pregnant women. Damage to the brain subsequently leads to alteration of manners of conduct in individuals. Most methodical investigations conducted in the past to elucidate the damaging effects of these drugs was done in mice in laboratories.

As a recommendation, consumption of both alcohol and cannabis should only be allowed in moderation as effects would be minimal. Pregnant women ought to also refrain from misusing these drugs. ReferencesChermack, S. T., & Blow, F. C. (2002). Violence among individuals in substance abuse treatment: The role of alcohol and cocaine consumption: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 66: 29-37. Oscar-Berman, M., & Marinkovic, K. (2007). Alcohol: Effects on Neurobehavioral Functions and the Brain: Neuropsychol Rev, 17(1): 239-257.

Parker, R. N., Williams, K. R., McCaffree, K. J., Acensio, E. M., Browne, A., Strom, K. J., & Barrick, K. (2011). Alcohol availability and youth homicide in the 91 largest US cities, 1984-2006: Drug and Alcohol Review, 30: 505-514. Riley, E. P., & McGee, C. L. (2005). Fatal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: An Overview with Emphasis on Changes in Brain and Behavior: Experimental Biology and Medicine, 230: 357-365. Spagnolli, F., Cerini, R., Cardobi, N., Barillari, M., Manganotti, P., Storti, S.

, & Mucelli, R. P. (2013). Brain Modifications after acute consumption analyzed by resting state fMRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 31: 1325-1330. Stanwood, G. D., & Levitt, P. (2004). Drug exposure early in life: Functional repercussions of changing neuropharmacology during sensitive periods of brain development, 4: 65- 71. Volkow, N. D., & Li, T. (2004). Drug addiction: The neurobiology of behaviour gone awry: Perspectives, 5: 279-290. Zou, H., Xie, Q., Zhang, M., Zhang, C., Zhao, G., Jin, M., & Yu, L. (2009).

Chronic alcohol consumption from adolescence to adulthood in mice-Effect on growth and social behaviour: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 104(4): 119-125.