How is the brain affected by opiates?
Opiates produce there effects by activating opiate receptors that are spread out all though out the brain. Once the drug reaches the brain it quickly ativates within the different regions(Limbic syatem, brain stem and spinal cord) and then and then produces an affect that correlates with that region of the brain. Two main effects of this drug are pain relief and pleasure. As the opiate receptors are activated endorphins are released. Endorphins are said to be linked to respiration, nausea, vomiting and pain modulation.
How is consciousness affected by opiates?
Consciousness is affected very many ways by opiates. Since opiates can also be used a painkiller, when we as humans are conscious of pain and the ingest this drug, it rids of emotional response to pain making it addicting mentally. Withdrawl is very severe with this drug. This drug completly diminishes a persons reasoning ability. They are very unaware of what is happening around them and also diminishes reflexes and judgement.
The first part of the brain that is affected by opiates is the limbic system(Red A) and cause the limbic system to increase level of pleasure, contentment and relaxation.
The second part that is affected is the brain stem(Blue B). The brain stem helpes operate motor skils such as breathing or coughing or skills that occur without any help of conscious thought. Opiates often stop coughing or cause breathing to slow.
The third part that opiates affect are the spinal cord(yellow C). the spinal cord helps transmit pain communication throughout the body. Opiates allow people to endure even the worst pain from the most severe injuries.
Opiates is just the general term for many of the specific drugs. Some names of common opiates are heroin, opium, codeine and morphine. Some common sreet names are horse, junk, smack, schoolboy and miss emma.
This is a computer modeled image of a healthy brain compared to the brain that has been exposed to methadone for seven years and some heroin.
If we just avoid drugs all together, we will eliminate the possibility of frying our brains to complete disintigrated matter. Drugs are not our friends and we should all be educated on the dangers of opiates. Education is what makes America thrive.
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