How Does Crack Cocaine Affect the Brain?

HOW DOES CRACK COCAINE AFFECT THE BRAIN? How does cocaine become crack? SNORTED COCAINE PLANT Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. COCAINE The powdered form of cocaine is snorted through the nose, where it is absorbed through the nasal tissue. SMOKED + Baking Soda CRACK The name refers to the crackling sound heard when the rock is heated and smoked. Crack is made from cocaine process called freebasing, in which cocaine is cooked with ammonia or baking soda to create a rock form that can be smoked. What happens when crack vapor is inhaled? within BRAIN 10-15 BLOOD STREAM LUNGS seconds The vapors of the crack are absorbed through the lungs, into the bloodstream, and transported to the brain within 10 to 15 seconds. How does crack affect the brain? Dopamine is released by neurons in the nervous system that controls feeling of pleasure and well-being. Neurotransmitters allow information in the form of electrical impulses to be passed through the body. DOPAMINE NEUROTRANSMITTER COCAINE CRACK Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in brain circuits regulating pleasure and movement. Crack works by causing the brains neurotransmitters to release all the dopamine at once. How does dopamine travel through the brain? DOPAMINE TRANSPORTER NEURON NEURON DOPAMINE RECEPTOR SYNAPSE Once released, dopamine travels across a gap between nerve cells, called a synapse, and binds to a receptor on a neighboring nerve cell (also called a neuron). This sends a signal to that nerve cell, which produces a good feeling. How does crack interrupts this cycle? CRACK Crack interrupts this cycle. It attaches to the dopamine transporter, preventing the normal reabsorption process. Dopamine then builds up in the gap synapse between neurons, creating a lingering feeling of pleasure or euphoria to the user. How smoking cocaine can lead to addiction? I want more! 5 to 7 minutes DEPRESSION ADDICTION Crack's rapid rush - 5 to 7 minutes of intense pleasure - quickly subsides, leading to depression that needs to be relieved by more crack. This cycle enhances the chances of addiction. What are the effects of crack addiction? PARANOIA ADDICTION HALLUCINATIONS FORMICATION Addiction lead fo cocaine psychosis causing paranola, hallucinations, and delusional parasitosis. Formication is an abnormal sensation in which insects or snakes are perceived to be crawling under the skin. Most seriously, addiction to cocaine can also result to cardiac arrest, stroke and death. SOURCES http://science.howstuffworks.com/crack3.him http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cocalne htlp://www.drugrehab.co.uk/FAQ-crack.htm http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/crack.asp http://www.medicaldaily.com/your-brain-cocaine-dopamine-buildup-excites-brains-reward-center-what-price-270489 Recoveny Steps RECOVERY IS JUST A STEP AWAY!