How do drugs affect the nervous system?

How 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 do drugs affect neurotransmitters?

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’s the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter?

An excitatory transmitter promotes the generation of an electrical signal called an action potential in the receiving neuron, while an inhibitory transmitter prevents it. Whether a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory depends on the receptor it binds to.

Are drugs that tend to slow down the central nervous system?

Depressants – drugs that tend to slow down the central nervous system.

What chemical do neurons used for communication?

neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter – A chemical released from a neuron following an action potential. The neurotransmitter travels across the synapse to excite or inhibit the target neuron. Different types of neurons use different neurotransmitters and therefore have different effects on their targets.

What does excitatory neuron do?

An excitatory transmitter generates a signal called an action potential in the receiving neuron. Excitatory neurotransmitters have excitatory effects on the neuron. This means they increase the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential. Inhibitory neurotransmitters have inhibitory effects on the neuron.

What makes a neuron excitatory or inhibitory?

Excitatory neurons are neurons that release neurotransmitters to make the post-synaptic neuron generate an action potential while inhibitory neurons are neurons that release neurotransmitters to make the post-synaptic neuron less-likely to generate an action potential.

What is a strong sometimes fatal reaction to a drug is?

An overdose is a strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug.

What part of the body is most affected by drugs?

Your Heart – Most drugs can damage your cardiovascular system in some way, whether that means heart attack or abnormal heart rates. Cocaine, for example, is known to cause strokes, heart attacks, and cardiac arrest in users, which can all lead to sudden death.