San Bernardino Drug Charge Defense Lawyers
The Chemical Effect on the Brain
Drugs are chemicals and chemical changes occur in the brain after using only one time. This leads to addiction and drug addiction is a disease. These drugs wreak havoc with the brain’s communication system and hinder the way nerve cells send and receive information, transmitting abnormal messages through the brain cells. Marijuana and Heroin are examples of drugs that do this.
Other drugs, such as amphetamines or cocaine, can cause the nerve cells to prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals by releasing large amounts of natural neurotransmitters, which is needed to shut off the signal between neurons. This creates a very loud message in the brain, sort of like someone whispering into your ear and someone shouting into a microphone.
How do Drugs Produce Pleasure?
All drugs flood the brain with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter found in parts of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure, emotion, movement, thoughts, and stimulus. Repeat usage of these drugs, produces the euphoric effects sought by drug users.
Why are Drugs Addictive?
Some drugs of abuse can release up to ten times the amount of dopamine than natural substances do. This can happen immediately when drugs are smoked or injected, and the effects can last a long time. This effect motivates people to take drugs again and again.
Consequences to your Brain
The brain will adjust to the large doses in dopamine by producing less. This will reduce the receptors that receive and transmit signals in your brain. The user will eventually become lifeless and depressed; will not enjoy things that used to bring pleasure. More and more drugs are needed to get the effect known as tolerance. Drug addiction rids a person of self-control and the ability to make decisions.
Conclusion
Drug users are more likely than nonusers to commit crimes. Users are frequently under the influence of a drug at the time they committed their offense. Drugs generate violence. If you are aware of someone with the above signs, be a friend, call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 800-729-6686. Remember, drugs will most likely kill.