Heroin and other drugs do not directly cause a high for people. It is the effect of these substances on neurotransmitters that cause feelings of pleasure or euphoria. The chemical substances the body uses to send signals and get things done suddenly are lighting up in the brain. Manipulating these is dangerous. It is essential…
Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain known as a neurotransmitter. It has been referred to as the “pleasure chemical” in the brain because when we do things that create a feeling of reward, dopamine levels are increased. Usually, dopamine increases occur from naturally pleasurable activities, like sex or eating food, but drugs create…
In addiction, the brain is impaired in its ability to feel happiness. Drugs and alcohol stimulate extremely high productions of dopamine, which creates the euphoric sensations of being intoxicated. The more drugs and alcohol are abused, the more the brain relies on those chemical substances to produce those feelings of happiness. When a tolerance…