– Why is the brain so effective in adapting to substances like MDMA and Cocaine?

Question

– Why is the brain so effective in adapting to substances like MDMA and Cocaine?

In: 386

Answer 1

Homeostasis. The brain, like the rest of the body tends to a state of balance where everything is functioning in ideal conditions. This is true for neurotransmitter signalling in the brain. When you take one of these drugs you drastically increase signalling in their respective pathways. Brain no like this so through a process called neuromodulation, cells in the brain take steps to counteract this signalling. This can involve increasing the signalling of opposing pathways, destroying/ internalizing certain receptors or limiting the production of certain neurotransmitters – all with the same goal of reducing the net signalling of these pathways to a more manageable level.