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Neurotransmitters & Self Medicating

8 CQ

In this lesson explore the concept of homeostasis, or the body's seeking of balance that is affected by drugs, alcohol use, and brain chemistry.

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    2 Comments
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    Emiel d
    Acetaldehyde is a normal byproduct of ethanol or alcohol breakdown and is not due to some liver disorder. This becomes dangerous when you drink to much because than your body won't be able to break acetaldehyde down further quickly enough. This causes the poisoning which causes the hangover or alcohol poisoning which is even more extreme than a hangover and deadly.
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    Emiel d
    The receptor density on the neurons changes in response to the abundance of drugs that mimic neurotransmitters. This is what causes the tolerance. The neuron does not adapt because the person wants to take more drugs. The person wants to take more drugs because the neurons don't respond to the previous amount of drugs anymore. The need for more is caused by the tolerance and not the other way around. Needless to say this becomes a cycle. It could be that the lecturer didn't mean to say that.
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