Drugs and effects on the nervous system

Opiates
-Opiates are derivatives of chemicals found naturally in the opium poppy, or
similar synthetic drugs
-They include heroin, opium, methadrone and morphine
-They bind to receptors in the synapses of pain receptor neurons.
-These receptors bind to natural opiates which are produced by the body. They
cause the inhibition of dopamine receptors to cease, causing dopamine to bind
to these receptors, causing the animal to feel pleasure. These receptors are
linked to the pain synapse, which is inhibited when the opiate binds to it.
-Hallucinogens are similar to opioids in that they affect the synapses in the brain.
-These drugs may also increase or decrease the synthesis of neurotransmitter
chemicals. Drugs that increase synthesis cause stronger impulses, so stimulating
more reactions. Drugs that inhibit the synthesis reduce the impulse, and can be
used a painkiller.

Hallucinogens
-Hallucinogenic drugs cause the stimulation of a particular serotonin receptor in
the brain- when turned on, it causes hallucinations. When off, these effects
stop.
-The more the drug binds to the receptor, the longer and more potent the effects
are.

Treatment of neural diseases

-Treatment of Parkinsons involves using drugs that agonise (increase the
synthesis of) dopamine.
-For example, levodopa is a drug that passes into the brain and there is
converted into dopamine, causing dopamine levels in the synapses to rise.
-Alternatively, drugs that inhibit the enzymes that break down dopamine are also
used, so dopamine is broken down less and natural dopamine levels are
maintained. It is also used in combination with agonists to keep the high
dopamine levels constant.