researching neurotransmitters and how they are effected by various things.


one question i cant find an answer to relates to drugs.


if someone uses cocaine, the dopamine receptors in the brain are "blocked" by the coaine molecules(?) and the brain perceives low dopamine levels due to dopamine not being able to bind to the receptors.


how then, does someone get high off cocaine? obviously with the receptors blocked the body will perceive low levels, and release lots of dopamine, but if the sites it needs to bind to are blocked, how is all the free dopamine absorbed?

Nah, cocaine doesn't block the receptors for dopamine. They block the reabsorption of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, which leads to a build up of dopamine levels. Results in your 'high'.

ohhh i think i remember reading this..

so a certain neuron sends out dopamine and the dopamine binds with a receptor and then comes back to the original neruon tht released it... so cocaine blocks the dopamine from getting back to the original neuron.. right ?

yep

thank you

another question;

PET scans show reduced levels of MAOb (monoamine oxidase) in smokers.

originally I thought this would lead to better moods, due to more neruotransmitters like phenyethylamine, being in the brain (less oxidase to oxidize the monoamines) but now I am not sure.

I know that neuron sites function like doors, and they need a certain opening and closing effect to function properly, so they are not overloaded...


so, would having less oxidase in smokers cause them to be "happier" or better mood, due to increased monoamines that regulate mood, or would the presence of more monoamines cause the sites to become saturated, and not function properly, causing a similar effect to not having enough monoamines.


thanks!

any1

less MAO = happier as you have less breakdown of your NT's that lead to happiness.

I do not know if you have ever heard of MAOI's(Monoamine oxidase inhibitors) but they are a class of drugs used to treat depression (or get you really fucked up if you take DMT)