Addictive substances disrupt neurotransmitter brain activity, affecting messages sent between neurons and receptors. Dopamine is a primary neurotransmitter affected by addiction, with drugs like cocaine stimulating or inhibiting dopamine receptors. Chronic drug use impacts brain function and changes the frontal cortex, leading to a lack of concern for consequences. Some drugs are considered more addictive than others, with nicotine being the most addictive. Research is ongoing to understand the relationship between neurotransmitters and addiction.
The relationship between neurotransmitters and addiction rests on the ability of the addictive substance to disrupt the neurotransmitter’s brain activity. Neurotransmitters are carriers of messages sent between a neuron and a receptor. Pain, pleasure, boredom and other messages travel through the neurotransmitter. Drugs, alcohol, and other addictive substances not only prevent the proper activity of neurotransmitters, but also create behavior-modifying brain activity.
Dopamine is a primary neurotransmitter affected by addiction. This neurotransmitter influences movement control, emotions, pleasure and pain. Several drugs can stimulate or inhibit dopamine receptors in the brain. This interferes with the neurotransmitter’s ability to work effectively.
Cocaine is an example of a drug that impacts the action of dopamine in the brain. Cocaine use increases dopamine levels and creates a temporary euphoria. Each drug used blocks or stimulates neurotransmitters, which impacts the user’s thoughts and behaviors. Some drugs, including amphetamines, disrupt the normal flow of neurotransmitters to the brain. Other drugs completely bypass the neurotransmitter system and go directly to the receptors.
When dopamine neurotransmitters are constantly overstimulated through drug use, the brain stops creating dopamine on its own. This is called desensitization, often referred to as drug tolerance. Desensitization takes weeks to months to reverse itself after drug use is eliminated.
Different drugs have different connections between neurotransmitters and addiction. For example, amphetamines increase dopamine release and cocaine binds to the neurotransmitter, reducing dopamine release, but both drugs produce feelings of happiness and energy. The level and speed of changes in brain chemicals with drug use also impact neurotransmitters and addiction.
Due to the effect of some drugs on neurotransmitters and addiction, some drugs are considered more addictive than others. Crack cocaine and opiates including heroin, morphine, and prescription painkillers are considered highly addictive. Marijuana is considered much less addictive. Nicotine is considered to be the most addictive of the psychoactive drugs.
Chronic drug use, as seen in addiction, impacts brain function. Neurotransmitters and addiction are being studied in an effort to understand their relationship and find a cure. Research has found that chronic drug use changes the frontal cortex of the brain. This is the area responsible for understanding the consequences of actions. Not learning from mistakes, not worrying about the risk, and not worrying about the consequences are all byproducts of the relationship between neurotransmitters and addiction.
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