The Effects Of Drug Use On Brain And Its Functions

Abstract In the course of the text, there will be discussions regarding the correlation of drug use and/or abuse and how it affects the brain and its functions. Contributions through literature review will focus on the aspects of the anatomy and physiology of the brain as well as the pathology and psychological aspects of how drug use will affect it; primarily focusing on cocaine. Introduction The brain is a complex organ within the human body. It serves as the basis for all bodily functions, controlling all aspects of a human being from the complexity of experiencing emotions to the basics of breathing and walking. But what happens when drugs are introduced to the body, the brain? The studies hereafter will display the effects of drug use and abuse on the brain and its functions. Literature Review The Brain Anatomically, the central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and the spinal cord (Kalat, 2013). These two things represent our body’s communication center. In aspects to just the brain, it is made up of 3 various parts, the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. Each part of the brain has a specific function. The forebrain consists of thalamus, hypothalamus, and the cerebrum. The midbrain, other wise known as the mesencephalon, is made up of tectum and tegamentum. Lastly, the hindbrain consists of the cerebellum, pons, and the medulla. The forebrain is responsible for everything from voluntary movement to abstract cognitive thinking and even theShow MoreRelatedEssay about Drugs Affect on Brain947 Words   |  4 PagesAbstract Drugs some use them to escape pain, others use them for pleasure, and some use them to just fit in. Either way drugs are a harmful substance that may seriously affect the body. Drugs mess with the brain in ways that we couldn’t even imagine. From destroying brain cells that help with critical thinking to destroying cells that give us the ability to feel pleasure. 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