Affects of Drugs on the Brain Deputy Tyler Edwards Clay County Sheriff’s Office

Three Main Parts of the Brain Cerebrum Cerebellum Brain Stem NOTE: Each is further divided into regions that control specific functions 2. Three Main Parts of the Exterior Brain (Cerebrum, Cerebellum, & Brain Stem) The brain has three main parts, the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. These parts are further divided into regions that control specific functions. 2 2

Brain Communication Network Neuron Intercommunication Processes Neurons communicate with other neurons at special places called synapses or synaptic clefts Communication Process Neurons communicate those chemical messengers – neurotransmitters – into the synaptic clefts From there, the neurotransmitter crosses the synapse and attached to receptors on the next neuron line When neurotransmitters attach to these receptors, they cause changes inside the receiving neuron and the message is received Neurons communicate with each other through a network of interconnected calls that science is still trying to fully understand Scientist do know that this complex communication network can be disrupted by the chemicals in drugs. C. Neuron Intercommunication Processes a. A neuron communicates with other neurons at special places called synapses or synaptic clefts. To send a message, a neuron releases a chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, into the synaptic cleft. From there, the neurotransmitter crosses the synapse and attaches to key sites called receptors on the next neuron in line. When neurotransmitters attach to these receptors, they cause changes inside the receiving neuron and the message is delivered. b. Neurons communicate with each other through a network of interconnected cells that scientists are still trying to fully understand. Scientists do know, that this complex communication system within the brain can be disrupted by the chemicals in drugs. 3 3

Brain Communication Network Brain Control, Rewards, and Addiction The brain controls everything to include - Memory, feelings of pleasure, emotion & reward The reward system is a collection of neurons that release dopamine, resulting in pleasure. Science has linked dopamine to most drugs. Drugs activate the reward system causing the neurons to release large amounts of dopamine Overtime the sensation of pleasure is diminishes because brain damage occurs Serious consequences occur through prolonged drug use that can permitting change the brain making it difficult to experience other pleasures Scientific evidence proves drugs literally change the brain 3. Brain Control, Rewards and Addiction A. Your brain controls more than the way you think. The brain controls our physical sensations and body movements. How we understand what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Our sense of balance and coordination. Memory. Feelings of pleasure and reward. The ability to make judgments. When we catch a football, dance, jog, speak, sing, laugh, whistle, smile, cry-that's our brain receiving, processing, and sending out messages to different parts of our body. B. When we feel good for whatever reason-laughing with a friend or seeing a good movie or eating our favorite ice cream-the brain's reward system is activated. As we said before, the reward system is the part of the brain that makes you feel good. The reward system is a collection of neurons that release dopamine, a neurotransmitter. When dopamine is released by these neurons, a person feels pleasure. C. Scientists have linked dopamine to most drugs of abuse-including cocaine, marijuana, heroin, alcohol, and nicotine. These drugs all activate the reward system and cause neurons to release large amounts of dopamine. Over time, drugs damage this part of the brain. As a result of this damage, things that used to make you feel good-like eating ice cream, skateboarding, or getting a hug-no longer feel as good. D. Drug abuse has serious consequences. The most serious consequence is that prolonged drug use changes the brain in fundamental and long- lasting ways. Eventually, it becomes difficult to experience other pleasures. E. After repeated drug use, you reach a point when deciding to use drugs is no longer voluntary. Scientists have proof now that drugs literally change your brain. It's as if a "switch" goes off in the brain. At that point, the drug abuser becomes a drug addict. F. Addiction is actually a different state of being-a brain disease. Addiction is a chronic relapsing disease characterized by compulsive, often uncontrollable, drug seeking and drug use in the face of negative consequences. Drug addicts need professional help and treatment to help them cope with these changes and possibly change the brain back to normal. 4 4

Brain Damage Before After Another view from the Amen Clinic. This top-down SPECT scan shows similar functional impairment. You can see the frontal lobe diminishment, the left temporal, and many areas of the parietal lobe. Moreover, there is a marked global effect. This person would suffer similar problems as the previous one and could be diagnosed as paranoid-schizophrenic. Methamphetamine-Related Brain Damage (many automatic systems no longer integrate with each other) Daniel Amen, MD 5

Brain Damage After Before                                                                                                   Here we can see the result of high dopamine levels. You can see on this 3-D SPECT scan, how neurological function has been compromised after long-term exposure to methamphetamine. Notice that the prefrontal cortex is greatly affected, along with the amygdala and parts of the limbic system. The temporal lobe is also diminished, as well as some parietal functioning. Clinically, the person on the right will present symptoms of decreased impulse control, cognitive inhibition, loss of problem-solving skills, some language issues, emotional instability, and paranoia. Methamphetamine-Related Brain Damage –As Cells are damaged, systems do not work together anymore, some parts do not function at all NIDA 6

Itching and Scratching Lead to Infection These are examples of “meth sores.” When higher than normal levels of dopamine are present, other neurochemical systems try to slow it down. Serotonin is depleted, norepinephrine (which is commensurate with dopamine release) is depleted, and the naturally-occurring opioids –endorphins, enkephlins, and dynorphins– are depleted. The depletion of the naturally-occurring opioids causes a propioceptive response, perceived by the individual as “itching,” as if “bugs were crawling under the skin.” The response is to scratch, often causing these kinds of lesions. Often they get infected and can cause considerable problems, even the loss of limbs and, in extreme circumstances, death. Severe Dermatitis 7

Meth uses up calcium to create its effects –but you are not hungry and do not replenish calcium through diet Dental hygiene is Frequently overlooked during meth binges More evidence of calcium depletion can be found in the rapid onset of tooth decay associated with methamphetamine. Since meth is the strongest dopamine stimulant and users can stay on it for several days at a time, calcium depletion and tooth decay occur more rapidly. A further complication is the loss of interest in personal hygene. Loss of Calcium Causes Tooth Decay 8

“Crashing” is due to the depletion of essential Depletion of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and natural opioids (endorphins, enkephlins, dynorphins) The “crash” is not sleep –it is the brain chemistry going off-line until it recovers from neurochemical depletion. Often people crash for days, sometimes oblivious to their surroundings. One documented case showed a young man on a hard-wood floor, who laid on his arm so long that the circulation was disrupted and he lost the arm. “Crashing” is due to the depletion of essential brain chemicals –it is not restful sleep 9