Drugs and Society Essay

1b. reheel and describe briefly the major structures of the brain, as presented in your textbook, including the function of those elements that are most related to mind-expanding drug reaction. The first layer of the brain is the lens cortex which covers the top and sides of the brain. This area controls reasoning and language, and this area ordain be less active when under sedative drugs. The basal ganglia are located underneath the cortex and it is made up of by the striatum. The striatum controls muscle tone and is part of the dopamine pathway which is a potential transport highway for psychoactive drugs.The hypothalamus is at the base of the brain and serves as liaison amid the brain and pituitary gland. The pituitary hormonal output is problematical in behaviors much(prenominal)(prenominal) as sustenance and temperature regulation. The limbic system affects emotion, location memory, and physical bodily function. Along the brain stem are the medulla, midbrain, and pons f rom which conceal the bulk of neurons that create dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. The lower brain stem controls vomiting and respiratory functions. If affected, the respiratory function faecal matter be suppressed by drugs.1c. Describe the life cycle of a typical neurotransmitter.A cell membrane with the uptake of a particular precursor lactates amino acids to create a neurotransmitter. The amino acids suffer synthesis with a reaction with enzymes to become a neurotransmitter. in one case created, the neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles until they are released into the synapse. Once released, the neurotransmitters depart attempt to attach to the membrane of neurons. If the neurotransmitter does not make it to the neuron, then it will either absorb in the originating cell or be metabolized within the synapse.2b. Differentiate between drug angle of dip tolerance, behavioural tolerance, and pharmacodynamics tolerance, and provide reasons why these concepts should be taken into account when determining the subjectuate of a drug. Drug disposition tolerance is defined as the increase of the drugs rate of metabolism or removal. The exploiter may increase the amount of a drug taken due to the drug being metabolized excessively quickly or being removed from the body. A person may compensate their behavior when undefendable to a drug overtime such as learning to drive while intoxicated. The impairment is bring down and this is known as behavioral tolerance. Pharmacodynamics tolerance is the main contributor to the necessity to increase the dosage of a drug in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The user does not feel the same printings of a dosage so the dosage must be increased in order to brook the same feeling.2d. permit several specific personal and societal steps you would recommend in an lying-in to reduce the likelihood of untoward reactions to drugs taken in combination. The largest deficit that can be produced to avoid adverse reactions to drug taken in combination is to avoid doing it all such as alcohol and some other depressants. Individuals that need to take multiple medications such as person with diabetes and high blood pressure need to be carefully monitored and educated on the effects of the medications individually and the effects of the medications when combined.3b. Explain the basic rationale and theoretical fixations for the extensive use of amphetamine in the treatment of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). ADHD individuals have deficits involved with the functions of executive control within the brain. This control center affects concentration, hyperactivity, and learning. Amphetamines have been shown to produce a calming effect upon the individual from the amphetamines ability to increase brain catecholamine activity whereas ADHD individuals suffer from catecholamine deficits in the prefrontal cortex.3c. Provide your personal viewpoint on major concerns about ADHD diagnoses and the efficacy of drug treatments that have take to recent controversy. The basis of diagnoses of ADHD has not been fully researched due to any widely accepted familiarity as to why stimulants are effective in treating hyperactivity. The causes of ADHD are still not soundly understood. There have also been non-stimulant drugs that have been shown to be just as effective as stimulants such as Strattera and Atomoxetine. I believe that ADHD itself is a complicated issue that requires multiple points of attack such as the use of stimulant and non-stimulant drugs. What may work on one individual may not work on another.4a. Provide evidence of your understanding of the ways in which time course events of barbiturate and benzodiazepine actions give way to the onset of psychological and/or physical dependence. Barbiturate are fast acting drugs that may work within fifteen minutes and stay in the system for up to three hours. Due to the rapid activity of the barbiturates, they serve as a strong reinforcement to users due to the drug produced a desired effect quickly and leaving the body just as quickly. Benzodiazepine takes longer to initialize, but also stay in the body for up to ten hours. Barbiturates are taken in higher doses more rapidly, while Benzodiazepine is taken at lower does. Withdrawal symptoms of barbiturates from chronic symptoms are severe due to the rapidness the drug leaves the users body without the users body being able to adapt to the drug adequately.4b. Describe the diagnose functions of GABA (g-aminobutryic acid) in producing the effects of various sedative-hypnotic agents, with specific reference to benzodiazepines. GABA is a neurotransmitter that is found in CNS areas and deals with inhibitory functions. Benzodiazepine molecules are strongly attracted to the GABA receptor sites and when bound to the GABA receptor, the Benzodiazepine molecules will increase the inhibitory effects of GABA on the receptors.