HMB200H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6.4: Limbic System, Thalamus, Traumatic Brain Injury
Document Summary
Incentive-sensitization theory / wanting-and-liking theory: when the drug is associated with certain cues, the cues alone elicit desire for the drug. Initial experience drug affects neural systems associated with pleasure. With each use, association forms b/w cues related to drug use and the drug-taking experience. Becomes classically conditioned simply seeing the cues elicits desire for the drug. Evidence for genetic basis of alcohol abuse will become compelling, only after a gene (or set of genes) related to alcoholism is found. Addictive drugs can influence gene regulation relatively direct determining which genes are expressed. Can selectively turn off genes related to voluntary control. Turn on genes related to behaviours increasing chances of addiction. Relatively permanent, can be passed along to next generation: may account for tendency of drug addiction inheritance. Tobacco has much greater proven health risks than marijuana. Similar to controlling weight & appropriate diet lifelong problem: so is treating drug use and abuse.
