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Effects of Drugs on Dopamine
Levels
| Sfj |
Effects of Drugs on Dopamine Levels
Yesterday I attended a seminar on “Treatment for Methamphetamine
Dependence.” Presented by the Matrix Institute on Addiction from
UCLA.
One of the more interesting topics was the research concerning the
effects of drugs on dopamine levels. They revealed how natural
rewards compare with drugs and then presented the findings. They
included food, sex, nicotine, morphine, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Using a base line control called “Percent of DA Output” they found
that food is usually rated at about 100 (meaning one hundred per
cent of the control) and sometimes as much as 150. Sex goes up to
two hundred. May we assume that an orgasm is worth four
cheeseburgers? The initial release of dopamine for a cigarette
smoker is about 225. Morphine is 200. It seems that morphine works
more with the endorphins than dopamine. Cocaine is 350. And, can you
imagine what meth would be? Yep, Meth comes in at one thousand.
(1,000) After an hour and a half, meth is still at 350. |
| Replies... |
cleanand
serene
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Re: Effects of Drugs on Dopamine Levels
SFJ you are correct on this one it's all about the dopamine.
To addicts as well as "normal" everyday people. Weather it's sex,
drugs, food, even to much t.v., coffee. It all releases that
dopamine in our brains. Good stuff. |
Penelope
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Re: Effects of Drugs on Dopamine Levels
No wonder my brain got so screwed up. After 3-4 days of meth,
cigarettes, and sex, I usually munched a cheeseburger before the
sleep-a-thon phase set in.
But seriously. This is why Wellbutrin is said to be the
antidepressant of choice for recovering meth addicts. Wellbutrin is
a Selective Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor, which means that wellbutrin
makes more dopamine available to the receptors in the brain. My
receptors love Wellbutrin. |
runnin
shoes
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Re: Effects of Drugs on Dopamine Levels
One of my other children is headed to med school next year (biochem
pre) and has done research in this area. She never mentioned this to
me...thanks SFJ! I know they have some recent stuff on the dopamine
levels of those "in love" vs. not that's reall cool.
Anyway, wonder why the cigarette is 50 points higher than the
controlled subtances? Scary what's in them.
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See also:
Dopamine, Methamphetamines, and You
Dopamine and recovery question
Effects from a few months of using meth
Brain with and without Meth: Spect scan pics
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