The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Cocaine

Learn about the brain reward system and the biochemical processes that occur during cocaine use. Includes the opening Brain Reward video, "How the Brain Responds to Natural Rewards and Drugs."

[nunespereiramartha]

Don’t stop trying to quit and work out, run, you are young, you can make it!

[carlam.benjamin]

I was born in 82 in the south bronx, i had the unfortunate experience of seeing the unsavory side of the human experience during the crack era. My classmates parents were addicts n we would see them on the streets begging or carrying random items to sell. Prostitutes in horrid conditions, I used to believe crack addicts got sick when they didn’t use because of the heights & depths they would go to obtain the drugs. people from my generation aren’t immune from using crack cocaine or cocaine itself. I’ve had a history or substance abuse (age old story) surgeries had me addicted to pain meds. I hit the Jack pot. After I had weight loss surgery I was miserable I hadn’t addressed my food addiction & stabilized so the pills made me feel like I was the luckiest person on earth, all the while all my money was going to pills & I wasn’t bitter while at work I felt great & i preformed my job amazingly until my addiction went haywire & I had bad attendance at work plus repeated absences because I was either withdrawing n could begin work until I was fine or I hadn’t slept in days & I couldn’t cope. My temperament changed. I was irritable with certain personalities so I had arguments with a couple of new coworkers while on duty. I also had a bourgeois energy that some female coworkers didn’t like. The clients were very happy with me & my patience but the truth was I can appear very patient to a person I am encountering for a maximum of 45-75 minutes. Two females I worked along side on 12-16 hour tours would find it to be a long day because we were just tolerating one another which wasn’t like me at all. I wish I could apologize to them both when the time presents itself. I got so side tracked. Since I knew of the crack eta n swore against such a demonic poison I easily fell into the pill craze n I felt okay because I wasn’t on a corner getting it (at first lol) I had a prescription!!! I wasn’t like “them” lol shiiiitt I was exactly like them. I’m just venting & I hope someone struggling out there knows they aren’t alone. If u honestly wish to discuss recovery serious recovery email me & I promise to reply. Even if ur a current user but u want help I can help to get into detox that has a rehab component if ur interested. They pick u up and bring u to the place in Brooklyn. U must have health insurance. If u call them & ur ready to go you can be picked up the next morning at 6-7am or if u call the center early enough n u want to leave the same day u can also arrange that. U can be picked up, or come on ur own. the earlier in the morning the better . It’s ACI detox & rehab one of NYCS oldest rehab n detox n they allow u to smoke there u get 3 cigarette breaks per day n they provide them for u. Z brand new facility which was once a public school so it’s modern & clean. U will be set up with services before u leave whatever is best for u, even if ur homeless. u can go to long term treatment after u leave ACI (they have a website) google them. I wrote this feeeling as if someone might need it.

[Joetime]

I've tried cocaine a few times in my late teens to early 20s. And I can say, honestly, it's the best drug I've ever had (this is by no means an endorsement). I have anxiety and depression issues and it just lineated my thoughts and I never felt so capable and alert. But despite my addictive personality, I never fell to the trap, thankfully.
It's glorified for a reason, but it's too good to be true. And we all know where that leads.

Just steer clear. I hope any addict can get the proper help instead of jail time.

[jackschitt]

I recently got hooked on coke and it's no joke. It will make you feel like superman but costs a lot. I currently snort about 1.5-2g a day atleast and thats not even bad. Luckily I have a good paying job so I can afford it. But remember it's addictive as hell because it makes you fell invincible but will slowly dry your life away. It's not just a 1 kind of party deal. You'll want to feel that rush again. If its for 1 night remind yourself that. It makes you crave liquor as well. I'm 19 years old snorting 2g a day and drinking 1.75ml of vodka a day. It's taking 1/2 my check atleast just for coke. Maybe do it 1 time and do it. Fuck coke. Please be safe bc the only reason i tried it is bc I want to kms. <3 yall. DO NOT GET HOOKED PLEASE

[meghasharma]

Why can't acetylcholinesterase digest the extra acetylcholine present in the junction??

[SecondsAgo]

Dopamine does have something to do with us feeling euphoria, but that's more serotonin than dopamine. Serotonin also makes us sleepy. Probably because it takes the piss out of you. Well, dopamine takes it out of you while serotonin knocks it out of you. That's another reason why you feel tired after being very happy for a good bit of time. The neuron of dopamine is also not what gives you massive levels of energy. It gives you some energy, but it's mostly norepinephrine and epinephrine(noradrenaline and adrenaline) that gives you that. That all has to do with the NMDA receptors; N-Methyl D-Aspartate. The neurons that bind to NMDA receptors are norepinephrine, epinephrine, and glutamate. The neuron glutamate is what gives you excitement. Cocaine binds to the D1-Like receptors(D1 and D5) as well as NMDA receptors. Crank(crystal meth) and Desoxyn(methamphetamine hydrochloride) both bind to D2-Like receptors(D2, D3, and D4). Also, Adderall binds to D1 and D2 receptors, but I'm not sure which of the types and/or subtypes of amphetamine in it is responsible for it binding to both D1 and D2. Maybe it's because all of these different amphetamines are working on the CNS. Who knows! Anyways, I hope this helps some of you.

[elainawelch]

Good video, doesn’t explain how it damages the brain

[kevinfacts]

So if I took cocaine then thought to myself that my team had won the champions league (to get a dopamine rush) would that make cocain feel amazing since the dopamine is now blocked from returning???

[saroushen]

The problem with cocaine is that it is medically useful, but only for an ephemeral period of time; unfortunately, it's one of those stimulates that just happens to activates the reward part of the brain.

I'm not condoning drugs because most people should not take the risk, and you have no idea what the stuff is being mixed with nowadays. The only drug I do condone—to some degree—is cannabis for both its psychological & physical aid, especially those with MS. Even with that said though, anything can be abused.

Personally, I'd say cocaine is only really necessary for dental procedures in the modern day. From what I've researched, legalising it now would be a terrible idea.

[yeet]

They could’ve at least explain what happens to the neurons after .-.

[lisaholmes]

MRI I have had a lot of these through the years cAT scans test images of the brain. A Dye is given to search for trouble areas in the brain. injuries to the head in accidents like falls

[carlam.benjamin]

Give yourself a chance to live…not just exist. ACI detox/rehab & outpatient services that include psych, vocational, medical, counseling, group therapy etc. what can u lose?

[brediger]

I have done cocaine since 11 years, Im 27 rigjt now, really I need to quit soon. I have been reading psychedelic microdose therapy, what do you think? I have been already in AA, 4 clinics, psychiatryst, etc...

[elainawelch]

This doesn’t explain how it damages your brain

[SecondsAgo]

I'm on coke while I'm watching this! It's a great time, it really is.

[mcm-inc]

Chi Chi get the Yayo, everybody gets a Line.

[datapointswithnansonly]

Similar to how Ritalin or Medikinet works

[dougiequick]

Grateful Dead on how Cocaine leads to total TRAINWRECKS

 Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey Jones you better watch your speed
Trouble ahead, trouble behind

And you know that notion just crossed my mindThis old engine makes it on time
Leaves Central Station 'bout a quarter to nine
Hits River Junction at seventeen two
At a quarter to ten you know it's travelin' again
Driving that train, high on cocaine
Casey Jones you better, watch your speed
Trouble ahead, trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
Trouble ahead, Lady in red
Take my advice you'd be better off DEAD
Switchman's sleeping, train hundred and two is
ON THE WRONGT RACK AND HEADED FOR YOU       

Driving that train, high on cocaine
Casey Jones you better watch your speed
Trouble ahead trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
Drive your train, whoo
Trouble with you is the trouble with me
Got two good eyes but you still don't see
Come round the bend, you know it's the end
The fireman screams and the engine just gleams
Driving that train, high on cocaine
Casey Jones you better, watch your speed
Trouble ahead, trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
Driving that train, high on cocaine
Casey Jones you better, watch your speed
Trouble ahead, trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
Driving that train, high on cocaine
Casey Jones you better, watch your speed
Trouble ahead, trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
Driving that train, high on cocaine
Casey Jones you better, watch your speed
Trouble ahead, you know, trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
And you know that notion just cross my mind

[tomofthetomb]

The first 12s of that were incredibly boring omg