Explain the process of addiction as it is related to the brain (use the terms: reward pathway, tolerance, dopamine)

The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. This three-pound mass of gray and white matter sits at the center of all human activity—you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpiece, and to enjoy everyday activities. The brain regulates your body's basic functions, enables you to interpret and respond to everything you experience, and shapes your behavior. In short, your brain is you—everything you think and feel, and who you are.

Explanation:

How does the brain work?

The brain is often likened to an incredibly complex and intricate computer. Instead of electrical circuits on the silicon chips that control our electronic devices, the brain consists of billions of cells, called neurons, which are organized into circuits and networks. Each neuron acts as a switch controlling the flow of information. If a neuron receives enough signals from other neurons that it is connected to, it fires, sending its own signal on to other neurons in the circuit.

The brain is made up of many parts with interconnected circuits that all work together as a team. Different brain circuits are responsible for coordinating and performing specific functions. Networks of neurons send signals back and forth to each other and among different parts of the brain, the spinal cord, and nerves in the rest of the body (the peripheral nervous system).

How do drugs work in the brain?

Image showing a neuron. The neurotransmitter and receptor are called out to show how signals are sent, received and processed through the neuron.

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. Although these drugs mimic the brain’s own chemicals, they don’t activate neurons in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being sent through the network.

Other drugs, such as amphetamine or cocaine, can cause the neurons to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals by interfering with transporters. This too amplifies or disrupts the normal communication between neurons.

What parts of the brain are affected by drug use?

Drugs can alter important brain areas that are necessary for life-sustaining functions and can drive the compulsive drug use that marks addiction. Brain areas affected by drug use include:

aloha! my name is zalgo and i am here to you out on this glorious day. i am very sorry to here about your relationship with your parents, but i have just the solution for you! in most cases, people can not just abruptly stop completely, you have to slowly take yourself away from them. and the best thing to do is to also show your parents that you are honestly trying your hardest to stop drinking and smoking! not only can people also not just stop suddenly, but it can cause health problems. you could have seizures and all sorts of bad things happen to you, and i am most definitely sure that your parents don't want to hear about their beloved child in the hospital. i had to hear about my little brother in the hospital and i was in shambles, so imagine your parents hearing about

i hope this advice ! : d

"stay and stay proud! " - zalgo

b) the heart is a pump made of muscle and that is difficult to grow in the lab.