Table of Contents
Where do drugs affect the nervous system?
Drug action Like neurotransmitters, drugs can speed up (CNS stimulants) or slow down (CNS depressants) the transfer of electro-chemical messages between neurons in the brain. Messages between neurons can also be distorted when hallucinogenic drugs are taken.
How does the body react to drugs?
All addictive drugs activate the brain’s pleasure circuit. If you use a drug regularly, your brain will get used to it. The drug will actually re-wire the chemicals in your brain, changing how they work and respond to pleasure. Your brain may start requiring a higher dosage of drugs to feel the euphoric effects.
How does addiction affect the brain and body?
Addiction impacts the brain on many levels. The chemical compounds in Stimulants, Nicotine, Opioids, alcohol, and Sedatives enter the brain and bloodstream upon use. Once a chemical enters the brain, it can cause people to lose control of their impulses or crave a harmful substance.
How do drugs act on the nervous system?
Drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and process signals via neurotransmitters. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter in the body. This allows the drugs to attach onto and activate the neurons.
What best defines drug abuse?
The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. Drug abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related problems.
What are the long term effects of drugs?
Some of the most common long-term effects of drug abuse that you should be aware of include major depression, early-onset Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, hallucinating, being paranoid, having stomach issues, and much more.
How does prescription drugs affect your body?
Abuse of prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin® or Adderall®, can lead to feelings of hostility orparanoia . Further, taking high doses of a stimulant may result in dangerously high body temperature and an irregular heartbeat . There is also the potential for heart system failure or fatal seizures.
What are the health risks of drugs?
Health effects of drugs. Drug use can result in drug addiction, serious impairment, illness and death. Health risks of commonly used drugs include the following: Cocaine — Risk of heart attack, stroke and seizures. Ecstasy — Risk of liver failure and heart failure.
What are the health problems of drugs?
People with addiction often have one or more associated health issues, which could include lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, or mental health conditions . Imaging scans, chest X-rays, and blood tests can show the damaging effects of long term drug use throughout the body.