Neurotransmitters & other Psychoactive chemicals
Neurotransmitters
Naturally produced by your brain, these chemicals can have an either excitatory or inhibitory influence on a synapse.
Acetylcholine
Emma
Acetylcholine is one of the most well-known neurotransmitters that works in the brain by sending nerve impulses down to the neuromuscular junction. This substance has many different effects on humans such as, it triggers muscle contraction, stimulates hormone secretion, involved in wakefulness, attentiveness, memory, learning, anger, aggression, and sexuality.
Acetylcholine plays an important role in the brain, most importantly on improving our memory. Studies have shown that the lack of this neurotransmitter in the brain can link to Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.
ACh can have excitatory actions at the neuromuscular junction, stimulating muscle contraction, and inhibitory actions at certain smooth or cardiac muscles.
ACh is a target of many natural and artificial poisons. For example, Curare (a plant extract used for arrow poison), blocks muscle contraction and makes you paralyzed. It does this by competing with acetylcholine for the binding sites in the synapses that control muscle contraction. Another example, Nicotine (drug from tobacco), binds to ACh receptors, but instead stimulates the receptors by turning them on rather than off.
Dopamine
Naomi
Dopamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is made naturally by your body. First your brain will change the amino acid Tyrosine into a substance called dopa which is then turned into Dopamine, which is released from the brain's reward center.
It can affect many different areas of our lives such as how we feel pleasure, learning, motivation, sleep, mood, attention, pain processing, but also heart rate, blood vessel, and kidney function. When Dopamine is activated people are often more excited, positive, and motivated.
Although Dopamine is naturally occuring, many highly addictive drugs like opiates, alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and amphetamines increase the amount of dopamine that is released by neurons. Looking at your phone or computer can also cause your brain to make more dopamine which is why it can be so addictive especially to children.
Dopamine also has a large role in mental health. Schitzophrenia is caused by some areas of the brain having excess Dopamine (causing hallucinations and delusions) and other areas having too little (causing lack of motivation and desire). ADHD may be caused by a shortage of Dopamine and the ADHD drug methylphenidate boosts Dopamine levels. There are many other neurological disorders that are caused in some part by your Dopamine.
Serotonin (C₁₀H₁₂N₂O)
Hannah
Serotonin is a product of tryptophan.
Serotonin is thought to control moods, especially happiness and anxiety. Low levels of serotonin has linked to depression, anxiety and insomnia. High levels can cause several different and sometimes dangerous side effects. Serotonin is also involved in digestion, healing wounds, stimulating nausea and maintaining bone health.
Serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, so any serotonin needed for brain function must be produced within the brain.
Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that balances excessive excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain.
This neurotransmitter is naturally produced in the brain, and in the digestive system.
Serotonin is not addictive itself but there are studies that look into serotonin's involvement in addiction to other drugs.
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin#takeaway
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248#function
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1569733910700990
Glutamate Aidan
Glutamate is the opposite neurotransmitter to GABA. While GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, Glutamate is the primary excitatory one.
Glutamates primary function is to encourage and promote the transmission of signals in the nervous system. This function is based on the 'Goldilocks principle" you need just the right amount of it. Too little excitation makes for difficulty concentrating or mental tiredness. Too much is actually toxic and can damage cells.
Glutamate functions in the synaptic cleft, it is released from the signaling neuron to bind to the receptors on the receiving neuron.
Glutamate cannot cross the blood-brain barrier meaning it must be assembled in the neurons themselves using basic building blocks.
Norepinephrine Aidan
Also known as noradrenaline, norepinephrine is both a hormone and neurotransmitter.
As a hormone norepinephrine serves as a response to stress it excites the body. When placed in a stressful situation it works alongside of adrenaline to raise blood sugar and heart rate and prepare the body for action
As a neurotransmitter it serves in the sympathetic nervous system. It excited nerves and prepares the body to react to an acute threat.
Norepinephrine because of its ability to excite the body is often used in medical settings to raise blood pressure, and encourage recovery in the immediate aftermath of shock.
Paige
GABA
GABA is short for gamma-aminobutyric acid. It occurs naturally in your body and works as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It blocks certain brain signals and decreases nervous system activity. When GABA is released in a neuron, it binds to GABA receptors. These are channel receptors that let ions in and out of the cell. When the GABA is attached, the shape of the receptor changes to let mainly negatively charged ions to enter. This increases the negative charge inside the neuron and thus reduces excitability.
GABA helps with feelings of anxiety, fear, or stress. People with low levels of GABA can suffer from many things, such as seizures, panic disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and even depression. Some people take GABA supplements if they suffer from these things, but the potential side effects of GABA supplements have not been fully tested. GABA is produced in the body and cannot be gotten from foods. However, certain foods can boost GABA production and how well it works in the brain. These foods include beans, nuts, and fish, as well as other fruits, vegetables, and even red wine.
Psychoactive Drugs
Psychoactive Drugs are defined as any substance targeting the central nervous system that affects consciousness and/or behaviour. Many of these drugs alter synaptic transmissions by modifying or blocking the production, release or uptake of neurotransmitters.
Depressants and Hypnotics
Generally speaking, these drugs lower neural activity. Depending on the dosage, they can have varying effects from relief from anxiety to sedation, sleep, or anesthesia, to coma and death. At low doses inhibitory synapses are more affected, so the person initially feels excited or euphoric.
Alcohol
Alcohol has an effect on the brain because it blocks chemical signals between the neurons. This causes intoxication, and effects bodily functions. People get impulsive behavior, slurred speech, poor memory, and slowed reflexes as a result of excess alcohol consumption. Alcohol can be an addictive drug. It is however, safe for normal consumption if taken in moderation. A glass of wine or a beer with dinner will not effect you other than relaxation, by lowering neural activity. It can be addictive if taken in excess. It also has a threshold for how much you can drink at one time. If you drink too much you can black out, and even potentially get your stomach pumped.
Alcohol is a depressant that affects both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters by altering their levels.
There are natural sources of alcohol in most animal tissue, cholesterol is a good example of that.
Raelene Slaa
Valium
Emma
Valium, or diazepam, is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. It can also be used to relieve muscle spasms and provide sedation before medical procedures. It does this by calming your brain and nerves by discouraging neurons from firing (suppressing abnormal electrical signals). It boosts the efficiency of GABA, which is basically your brains "off switch".
Some common side-effects of taking Valium include trouble with coordination, sleepiness, and some long-term effects like dependence on the drug and possible withdrawal symptoms.
It is most likely that Valium binds to the same neuronal receptors as GABA, making it an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This is because GABA has a specific ion channel that changes shape to only allow negatively charged chlorine ions to pass through. This reduces the excitability, making it an inhibitor.
Valium has a low threshold for overdose, but it is highly addictive. It can easily be abused, if taken more than prescribed or taking it if not prescribed, increasing withdrawal symptoms. Taking this drug longer than 4-6 weeks, even if prescribed by a doctor, can lead to addiction, making it harder for your brain to function normally without the drug.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates act as a central nervous system depressant. Its effects include:
Reduced anxiety
Euphoria
Sleepiness
Medicinal uses:
General Anesthesia
Epilepsy/seizures
Migraines/headaches
Anxiety
Sleep disorders
They are also used in Euthanasia, Capital punishment, or assisted suicide.
Barbiturates have also been used in interrogation because they slow creative thinking and decrease inhibitions.
Barbiturates are inhibitory drugs because they slow down functioning in the central nervous system.
Barbiturates are chemical derivatives of barbituric acid. If used regularly your body can develop a tolerance to them. They are addictive, but are less addictive than most drugs, which is why barbiturates have replaces several drugs in the medical field. If you overdose, you will experience similar effects as with drunkenness, and in severe cases, coma or death. Older adults and pregnant women should not take barbiturates.
Tianna
Xanax
Chemical name: Alprazolam
C17H13ClN4
Xanax increases the effects of GABA which produces calmness and a relaxed feeling.
Treats anxiety and panic disorders by decreasing the level of excitement in the brain.
Effects include temporary memory loss, drowsiness, as well as hostility or irritability.
Too much Xanax can cause shallow breathing, dilated pupil, clammy skin, weak heartbeat.
Overdoses can lead to a coma or death.
Xanax works very closely with GABA which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases the excitability of neurons. By enhancing GABA, Xanax decreases anxiety and other muscle tremors.
Xanax is a fast acting medication and it is very strong thus making it quite addictive. It causes a big change in the brain in a short time period and it is considered one of the most addictive benzodiazepine medications.
Just like any addictive drug Xanax is very dangerous and can do serious damage to your brain and telling your body that it needs the drug, if the dosages are not carefully followed.
By: Jaime
Stimulants
Initially, these chemicals increase alertness and activity, but will eventually lead to a period of neural depression.
Caffeine
Naomi
Caffeine is found most commonly in drinks like coffee, tea, or various pop flavours, and is one of the widely consumed psychoactive drugs.
Caffeine is naturally found in fruit, leaves, and beans of coffee, cacao, and guanara plants.
When consumed it is inhibitory, it stops the production of the neurotransmitter Adenosine in the brain. Adenosine promotes sleep and is the nervous system's depressant.
Caffeine can cause alertness, headaches (from overconsumption or withdrawl), rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, increased urination. It temporarily prevents drowsiness and improves cognitive function.
Caffeine is addictive and withdrawl symptoms include headaches, muscle aches, and irritability.
Cocaine and Your Brain
Effect on the brain:
changes structure
makes dopamine become reabsorbed by neurons
veins and arteries are broken which leads to headache
this is because the blood that once flowed freely to the head is stopped
neurons can not do their job properly so the glucose metabolism is lower
ages your brain
your brain looses gray matter but if you took cocaine a lot then the gray matter that was in your brain decreased a lot faster if you didn't abuse cocaine
causes the cells to eat themselves
Addictive:
it can cause addiction because it affects the development and structure of the brain which makes it addictive
Source:
the natural source is coca plant leaves
dealers will mix in flour and corn starch into the cocaine so that there can be more of it
sometimes fentanyl is put in it
Emotional and Physical Effect:
mood swings
confusion
depression
raise blood pressure because cortisol (stress hormone) is stimulated (this could become permanent)
stroke - blood clots are forming
seizure
higher temperature
Fantastically Foppish Fun Facts:
Cocaine is able to cross the blood-brain barrier
4300 died because of it in 2013
cocaine was in Coca-Cola before 1903 and was completely gone from the drink in 1929
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/cocaine-treatment/effects-on-the-brain
Kaylee
Paige
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are excitatory drugs that speed up the nervous system. They act similarly to adrenaline as a stimulant. They were very common in the mid 1900s as treatment for nasal congestion, depression, and even obesity, but there were dangerous side effects and there was a high potential for abuse. Today, there are only 4 amphetamines that are legal for medical use and they are used to treat ADHD. Amphetamines were often used to stay awake and alert, for more energy, and for longer endurance. Amphetamines work in the brain by diffusing through the membrane of the presynaptic neuron and since it is similar in structure to dopamine, it can enter through the dopamine terminals. Once inside the cell, amphetamine forces dopamine out of its storage vesicles and across the synaptic gap, causing a feeling of euphoria. This feeling of euphoria lasts only about a minute, but the full effect of the amphetamine (increased breathing and alertness) lasts about 12 hours. If misused, amphetamine can be addictive. However, the use of the drug leads to tolerance, so the body needs more and more to get high, which can lead to overdose and death.
Analgesics
Endorphins and enkephalins are the brain's own analgesics, blocking pain due to physical or emotional stress by inhibiting neural activity in various locations of the nervous system. Analgesics can be highly addictive, and typically need higher doses to achieve the same effect as well as causing severe withdrawal symptoms.
Endorphins
Endorphins are polypeptide hormones that are made by the pituitary gland and central nervous system
Function: Help deal with stress and reduce pain
It creates feelings of pleasure because endorphin activity increases dopamine production
Endorphins are excitatory hormones
Effect on Brain:
Act on the opiate receptors in the brain
Act like natural pain killers for your brain
When are they released:
Causes of release:
response to pain/stress
exercise
eating
Brody
Enkephalins
Hannah
Enkephanlins are peptides which that act as neurotransmitters. There are two kinds: methionine and leucine-enkephalin.The first is pictured on the right.
They inhibit afferent pain fibers, and other cells expressing opioid receptors. They are generally considered inhibitory. The brain needs them to be balanced in order to function properly.
They may also play a role in learning, memory, metabolic rate, heart health, emotional health,reduction of inflammation,and prevention cancer cell growth.
On the negative side, high levels of it is linked to diabetes, psoriasis, and alzheimer's. Low levels are linked to Parkinson's, arthritus, and Huntington's.
Enkephanlins are a quick response to extreme pain. They are the reason that those whom have undergone extreme trauma don't feel pain. They help reduced the feeling of pain, and increase relief from pain. They do this by binding opioid receptors to the spinal chord and brain, therefore opening pathways.
Not considered addictive, but the receptors for enkephanlins on cells are what allow external drugs such as morphine to be effective.
Enkephanlins and endorphins are thought to be the source of "runner's high", euphoria experienced by long distance runners.
https://selfhacked.com/blog/enkephalins/
https://www.britannica.com/science/enkephalin
https://quizlet.com/3417684/neurotransmitter-hall-of-fame-flash-cards/
Codeine
Codeine is considered an opioid pain medication. Opioids bind with the same receptors as opium giving feelings of: sedation, pain relief, or slowed breathing. In particular codeine effects two neurotransmitters: serotonin and dopamine. Codeine reacts with the brain's chemical processes in the brain involving these neurotransmitters. Codeine can also lower the activity the the part of the brain involving coughing, for this reason codeine can be used as a cough medication.
Codeine can be very dangerous because it slows down breathing rates too much and can cause death. Unborn children can die from Codeine withdrawal if the mother was taking codeine. People under 18 should not be taking codeine.
https://www.drugs.com/codeine.html
https://www.codeine.com/effects/side-effects-codeine-need-medical-attention.html
http://codeinerehab.com/about-codeine/codeine-effects-body-mind/
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opioid
Shayna
Morphine
Kaylee
Physical Effects:
affects the receptors of the nervous system - different receptors have different jobs so they react in different ways
the m2 receptor can affect the heart, morphine affects the m2 receptors and makes the person feels drowsy
make you not feel pain
irregular appetite
increaed blood sugar
affects brain development
affects the forming of dendrites in the brain. This is turn affects motivation and learning
affects the density of dendrites
Mental Effects:
hallucinations
delusions
Addictive:
yes, very much so
the more often you use it the higher quantity you will need to use it
Natural Source: opium poppy
if you were to be tested and their was morphine residue left in your urine it could be because you ingested codeine, heroin or poppy seeds
What is it used for:
medicine used to manage chronic pain
severe to moderate types of pain
surgery
https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/morphine-side-effects#long-term-side-effects
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/morphine-treatment/mental-and-physical-effects
Heroine
Heroine is a drug that is made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the poppy seed . It is a very addictive drug and has a big effect on the brain both during and after the drug is taken. Heroine, when consumed, is converted to morphine and binds rapidly to opioid receptors. When this occurs, a person will feel a rush. Other effects are a warm flushing of the skin, a dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the extremities. Nausea, vomiting, and severe itching may also occur. After the fact, the person will usually be drowsy for several hours. Mental, breathing and heart functions slow. The breathing is sometimes slow enough to be life-threatening. Slowed breathing can also lead to coma and permanent brain damage. Heroin has both excitatory and inhibitory qualities. Heroine, as an opioid, does mimic a neurotransmitter.
Raelene Slaa
Opium
Opium is taken from the unripe seedpods of the opium poppy. When the seedpods are split a milky latex comes out and turns into a gummy brown mass because of the exposure to air. This is the raw opium and it's form can be changed to form other derivatives like morphine, codeine or heroin. These are all called opiates.
Opiates are very good painkillers, cough suppressants, anti-diarrhea and sleep medicines.
They increase pressure on the brain, cause drowsiness, tiredness, slurred speech, memory loss, confusion, vomiting and pupil constriction.
Things like depression, insomnia, paranoia and abnormal mood swings happen from withdrawal.
Opiates act as depressants on the CNS and are inhibitory neurotransmitters.
They mimics endorphin neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers. As your brain and body become used to these artificial painkillers the body slows down its production of these endorphins. Because your body is not producing as much of these your brain thinks you need more of the artificial things because that is how you get the "good" feeling. So opiates are very addictive and it doesn't take long to become addicted to them. Some people have prescriptions for them and even when they follow the dosages they become addicted.
By: Jaime
Psychedelics & Hallucinogens
These drugs alter sensory perceptions, especially visual and auditory ones. They can alter the effects of acetylcholine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters, causing disorientation, anxiety and hallucinations.
Marijuana Joelle
The scientific name for this drug is Tetrahydrocannabinol, or Cannabis in its short form. It's grown in the form of the cannabis plant.
Marijuana can make you feel relaxed and content by releasing dopamine, but can also create feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and panic. It lowers ones reaction time, and decreases coordination. It can raise your chances of getting depression, or worsen your symptoms if you're already diagnosed.
Depending on the person, the dose of Marijuana can have different effects. On one hand, an individual could smoke a lot and their body is able to take it. Other individuals smoke too much and get sick.
Studies are being done when it comes to its long-term effects, but its believed to lower your IQ level.
Marijuana leads to addiction for around 30% of its users, but it's 4-7 times more likely for a person to develop an addiction if they started before the age of 18.
LSD
(Lysergic acid diethylamide)
Also known as 'acid'
Is a hallucinogen made from lysergic acid (which is found in fungus that grows on rye and other grains)
Affects on the body/how it feels:
The effects of this mind-altering drug can either be:
Pleasurable and stimulating
Or unpleasant and terrifying
LSD is very potent and measured in micrograms
Can be found in different forms:
blotter paper
thin squares of gelatin
tablet form
liquid on sugar cubes
pure liquid form
Affects on brain:
Interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain
Brody
Magic mushrooms (Psilocybin) Joelle
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic drugs that can be consumed in a couple different ways. They can be eaten fresh, cooked, brewed into a tea, or dried and smoked.
In the liver, the psilocybin is converted to psilocin and it alters the serotonin levels in the brain. It takes 20-40 minutes for the effects to begin, and they continue until the psilocin is metabolized and excreted. This can take up to 6 hours, but it depends on the amount of psilocybin was in the mushroom or how much they took.
There are both physical and mental effects. The physical ones include dilated pupils, headaches, drowsiness, increased heart rate/blood pressure/temperature, lack of coordination, etc. Mental effects are the more drastic ones, such as both visual and auditory hallucinations, panic, paranoia, distorted sense of place/time/reality, spiritual experiences, euphoria, etc.
There are some serious risks when it comes to taking this drug. There's a chance for the individual to experience convulsions, and it might even change ones personality in the long run. Due to the fact that the mushrooms look similar to poisonous kinds, there's also a chance that the wrong mushroom is eaten. Eating a poisonous mushroom can result in organ damage, serious illness, and even death.
Magic mushrooms aren't addictive due to how mentally and emotionally challenging the experience is. Our bodies also build up a tolerance to psilocybin, so you'll need to take more in order to feel as strong of an effect.
Pictures
1 = Psilocybin
2 = Psilocin
3 = Mushrooms
Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is a pharmaceutical monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Its effects include:
Effects on the visual cortex of your brain
Vomiting
Emotional and Physiological stress
Uses:
Medicine
Suicide prevention
Depression
Aid in religious practices
Ayahuasca is South American and is made from the banisteriopsis vine. Ayahuasca is addictive and overdose can lead to death in extreme cases. People have claimed to gain a sort of spiritual enlightenment when they take it.
Tianna
Ketamine
Ketamine is considered a dissociative drug which means that it can give the feeling that the mind is separated from the body. Ketamine is used for medicinal uses but is otherwise illegal.
This drug is used medicinally typically for surgery patients since it will cause the patient to forget about the surgery, is fast acting, and gives pain relief. It non-competitively blocks the receptor N-methyl-D-aspartate for this reason it can help control depression and suicidal thoughts. It is also used by veterinarians for surgeries.
Ketamine can be addictive but under doctor supervision it is rare. Addiction to Ketamine is easy to spot because the addict will have loss of coordination, drowsiness, and slurred speech. If someone is addicted to Ketamine weaning the person off of the drug is hard because the person often forgets when they last took the drug. Withdraw symptoms are not as severe as other drug's withdraw symptoms.
Death because of a Ketamine overdose is rare but when combined with other drugs this drug can lead to death. Generally Ketamine causes people to loose consciousness, forget what happened when under the drugs influence, have decreased feeling of pain, and have hallucinations.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/controlled-illegal-drugs/ketamine.html
https://www.drugs.com/illicit/ketamine.html
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/ketamine-abuse
Shayna