Implications of the Physiological Mechanisms of Substance Use Disorder

The various neurotransmitter systems each release a chemical of a different “flavor” along a unique pathway from one brain region to another. Furthermore, the brain may produce many different neurotransmitter receptors, each responding differently to the same chemical, such that the number of signals that can be transmitted in the brain seems innumerable. Many drugs can drastically disrupt this system, providing an artificial boost to pleasure centers. Some people who experience this pleasure may find themselves in the throws of substance use disorder, unable to refrain from drugs even in the face of society’s disapproval and possible legal censure.

For this week’s Discussion, you select a substance that often leads to substance use disorder. You examine the physiological mechanisms of substance use disorder related to that substance and what knowledge of these mechanisms can contribute to a societal response to the problem of substance use disorder.

Part 1 a brief explanation of how the substance you selected affects the body. Then explain the physiological mechanisms of substance use disorder related to the substance you selected. Finally, explain two ways knowledge of physiological mechanisms of substance use disorder might impact a society’s response to the problem of substance use disorder. Support your postings and responses with specific references to the literature and Learning Resources. 1.5 pages

Part 2

The Assignment:

Write a 5-page paper that addresses the following:

Describe the divisions of the brain that research psychologists are most interested in and explain why.
Describe what divisions of the brain you might be interested in researching and explain why.

Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course. Noe, A. (2011). Is addiction in the head? NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2011/09/02/140110606/is-addiction-in-the-head

Sinauer and Associates, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Agonists and antagonists. Available from https://www.bn8e.com
Breedlove, S. M., & Watson, N. V. (2018). Behavioral neuroscience(8th ed.) New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
- Chapter 4, “The Chemistry Behavior: Neurotransmitters and Neuropharmacology”
Koob, G. F., & Volkow, N. D. (2010). Neurocircuitry of addiction. Neuropsychopharmacology, 35(1), 217–238.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
- Please read the supplemental note for this article first: Supplemental Note
Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Fowler, J. S., Tomasi, D., Telang, F., & Baler, R. (2010). Addiction: decreased reward sensitivity and increased expectation sensitivity conspire to overwhelm the brain’s control circuit. Bioessays, 32(9), 748–755. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20730946

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REQUIREMENTS

psychology Neuroscience biopsychology

Answer Preview…………….

The connection between the human brain and behavior is the basis of psychology. For this reason, research psychologists have dwelt on the study of the brain to understand its influence on the mental states and the overall behavior of an individual. While other scientists have insisted on the need to study human behavior and brain as individualistic terms, it is evident that understanding the different parts of the brain is vital………….

APA 1546 words