Devastating Effects of Drug Use on the Brain: What to Know
With the legalization of certain drugs you may wonder if they are safe or not?The truth is does anybody really know, ad just because some maybe legal in certain locations it doesn’t mean they are safe in any way. With this said lets look at brain health and drugs and a brief overview of what to know!
We must care for our brain, it’s a complex and vital organ that regulates human function. And drugs can have a negative impact on the brain. Drug use can lead to the compromise of basic human functions and brain health. In this post, we look at the effects of specific drugs on the brain’s neurons and neurotransmitters and the of a some of the effects of common drugs on the brain.
How Does the Brain Work?
The brain is complex, so this is just a brief overview to help get a little understanding of how it works. This vital organ is composed of billions of neurons that are responsible for regulating human function. These neurons connect logical senses with thought and conscious cognition. Chemicals known as neurotransmitters allow the messages to be sent to other nearby neurons. When everything is working well the neural communication is seamless, high-functioning, and cognitively adept when healthy. But what about drugs and brain health?
Drugs and the Brain
However, when a drug is taken, it binds to the brain receptors. Which acts to either stimulate or suppress the neurons. All drugs cause different reactions which results in a variety of affects. They impact the brain differently depending on how it binds to receptors.
Abnormal messages are sent through the brain’s network, altering brain function. The most common areas of the brain affected by drugs include the basal ganglia, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex.
Types of Drugs and Their Impact on the Brain
When most people think of drugs the first ones that typically come to mind is prescribed drugs (medication). However, many people, and for a variety of reasons take or experiments with ‘other’ drugs’ aka non prescription drugs.
But most of these drugs have no regulation and can lead to devastating harm physically, mentally and can lead to serious effects on the wellbeing of anyone who takes them and even to those around them.
There are several classes of drugs, each has distinguishable chemical properties, addictive features, and a set of reactions. And all of which can have a negative impact a brain’s neurochemistry.
As well as having residual impacts on the nervous system and other biological systems throughout the body.
- Marijuana – though legal in some places the drug can lead to brain cell damage and difficulty in problem-solving.
- Narcotics can negatively affect mood, concentration, and focus.
- Stimulants can lead to psychosis, paranoia, and depression.
- Cocaine affects natural dopamine levels and impacts an individual’s ability to learn, remember, feel pleasure, and experience rewards.
Hallucinogens can cause cognitive distortion and psychosis.
Concluding Brain Health and Drugs
Whether it’s recreational drug use or prescription drugs, it can have dramatic negative impact. Both on the brain’s ability to function and one’s long-term health overall. Understanding the impact of drugs on the brain is essential for maintaining good brain health, and that means making informed decisions about any drug use.
If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction, seek help from a professional to start on the road to recovery. And talk to your Dr. about the risks and side effects of taking any type of drugs.