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How drug addiction occurs (Dopamine pathway)

psychpost | 5/31/2011 01:16:00 PM















This little molecule above is known as Dopmaine.

It is found in our brains and is associated with feeling of well-being, happiness, euphoria, pain relief. Higher amounts are release during certain activities such as eating, sex, and drug use.
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How drug addiction occurs

Dopamine is naturally occurring and is made by our bodies. When a (dopamine increasing) drug is taken, dopamine levels greatly rise, giving a feeling of euphoria. Because there is such a high abundance of dopamine, our bodies produce much less of it. We begin to be unable to produce our own dopamine and turn to the drug to feel good.

This is why addicts simply cannot stop using drugs, they are no longer able to experience joy without it.

Drugs that may cause dopamine-related addictions: Adderal, Dexedrine, Ritalin, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, oxycontin, alcohol, nicotine, and any morphine derivatives. basically anything that can release a high level of dopamine. Also high fat/calorie foods such as cheesecake or bacon can cause a milder response.

Noticeable side effects from a dopamine withdrawal include: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sweating, nausea, generalized pain, fatigue, dizziness and drug cravings.
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29 responses to "How drug addiction occurs (Dopamine pathway)"

  1. fit4life | May 31, 2011 at 1:38 PM says:

    i knew all about dopamine and inhibitors, blocks, and receptors, but this enlightened me on a few aspects, thank you :]

  2. brn | May 31, 2011 at 2:58 PM says:

    that's very interesting! you forgot the list of the drugs that may cause dopamine-related addictions though D:

  3. Alexis | May 31, 2011 at 2:59 PM says:

    Great post, thanks.

  4. Doc_Waffles | May 31, 2011 at 3:14 PM says:

    Woah, today I learned. Good info.

  5. Monoriss | May 31, 2011 at 5:20 PM says:

    Hmmm so that is how it works, this is quite interesting

  6. Al3xaG | May 31, 2011 at 5:36 PM says:

    Aw the post is incomplete, now I will never know an easy way to achieve joy >,<

  7. Icepax_Nmir | May 31, 2011 at 5:38 PM says:

    i studied about this... Interesting!

  8. Blogging Skater | May 31, 2011 at 5:41 PM says:

    buddy, your post got cut off! interesting though, i always thought it was a chemical reaction in drug-users mind.

  9. Legitcheater | May 31, 2011 at 5:44 PM says:

    You didn't quite finish the post, but it seems interesting. I'll follow

  10. icey | May 31, 2011 at 5:53 PM says:

    held a presentation about this...and chocolate 2years ago

  11. VenomForMasses | May 31, 2011 at 6:35 PM says:

    sex does this to David Duchovny

  12. Zertuzzi | May 31, 2011 at 8:30 PM says:

    i really like the way you move mmmm

  13. Eulogio Gallo | May 31, 2011 at 10:50 PM says:

    I wanna be David Duchovny.

  14. Alpha | June 1, 2011 at 12:43 AM says:

    Inability to produce dopamine must really suck.

  15. Dejch | June 1, 2011 at 12:44 AM says:

    it's good that i don't use drugs

  16. RageCompeX | June 1, 2011 at 2:35 AM says:

    Science! So interesting to let low grades at school for it!

  17. Kingmush | June 1, 2011 at 11:32 AM says:

    Interesting post, never really understood this before. =p

  18. Barton | June 1, 2011 at 12:13 PM says:

    yeah dopamine is really dangerous. if i remember correctly it was the ventral tegmental area of the brain that responded to it. dopamine is also good for treating parkinsons

  19. Kelly | June 1, 2011 at 6:03 PM says:

    The side effects sounds like me most of the time.

  20. Marquall | June 1, 2011 at 6:42 PM says:

    interesting stuff

  21. The Wired | June 1, 2011 at 6:50 PM says:

    Already kinda knew this, but was a great refresher! Glad that I'm not addicted to much..except the internet..

  22. Nick | June 1, 2011 at 6:51 PM says:

    good info, was interested in this during my psych lecture this year,

  23. Laurent | June 1, 2011 at 8:00 PM says:

    Good to know. Thanks dude. (:

  24. animestan | June 1, 2011 at 8:16 PM says:

    The post didn't quite make it, but interesting nonetheless.

  25. wellpickedbooger | June 2, 2011 at 1:09 AM says:

    Addiction is so simple to understand from a medical standpoint, but so hard to treat without additional medication.

  26. evldmn | June 2, 2011 at 2:34 AM says:

    Interesting to read.

  27. Franci | June 2, 2011 at 4:40 AM says:

    I'm studying this stuff right now.

  28. lacrosseman | June 2, 2011 at 2:20 PM says:

    scientific research related to drug addiction, I'm okay with this

  29. Noctis | June 10, 2011 at 12:11 PM says:

    This entry is fuck*ng informative! Never thought my chemistry knowledge would come in handy some day!

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