PSC 101 Lecture 5: Opioid Addiction and Behavioral Genetics
Document Summary
Psc 101 lecture 5 opioid addiction and behavioral genetics. Pain relievers such as vicodin or oxytocin are abused to obtain euphoric high . Long term use causes opioid receptors to become less sensitive to both endogenous and exogenous opioids. The loss of opioid receptor activity also increases responses of dopamine neurons to cues associated with drug use. Lead to loss of hedonic response (drug use may no longer be pleasurable): loss of opioid signaling. Motivation to use drugs can remain high due to hyperactivity of dopamine systems. Changes in opioid and dopamine signaling are long lasting, potentially years after drug use has stopped. Disease model some individuals are more susceptible to drug abuse than others due to genetic or environmental factors. Physical dependence drug use occurs to avoid withdrawal symptoms (chills, pains dysphoria/bad mood), opioids induce physical dependence but not other drugs like cocaine. Positive reward model drug use is driven by reinforcement.
