Drugs & The Nervous System Inquiry Research Lab

Name: _______________________________________ Date: _____________

Got to the following website & investigate!

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/mouse/

What is the drug you have chosen to research and why?

The Drugs I chose were LSD, Heroin, and Ecstasy

Cited Sources, Data & Findings:

(Author, Title of Article, Website for each)

1. Ecstasy
______________________________________________________________________________
-ecstasy mimics serotonin and is taken up by serotonin transmitters

-the transporters then become confused and does its job in reverse, making
serotonin come out of the cell

-the cell then becomes overstimulated due to serotonin being trapped in the
synaptic cleft

-ecstasy affects the serotonin pathways and with the reward pathways
2. Heroin
-has slightly addictive properties
______________________________________________________________________________

-neurotransmitters inhibit dopamine from being released

-the releases of inhibitory neurotransmitters are shut down

-and without inhibition dopamine can be released

-heroin mimics natural opiates and binds to their receptors turning off
dopamine inhibition

-dopamine is allowed to flow the synapse producing feelings of well being

3. LSD
-used as a pain killer
-Works on almost exclusively on serotonin neurons

-LSD resembles serotonin and affects it by binding to serotonin receptors

-LSD inhibits or excites receptors

-has very complex sensory effects

-LSD also caused hallucinogens

Answer to Original Question:
 - Include data/findings from all sources
- Complete sentences, paragraph format

__Although all the mice had many known drugs; I decided to choose the drugs that I
knew little of to expand my knowledge on how they work. First all drugs mimic
something else to get into the system. Ecstasy for example mimic serotonin and is
taken by serotonin transmitters. The transporters then become confused and do
their job in reverse. The cell then becomes over stimulated and allows ecstasy to
affect the serotonin pathways and reward pathways. While Heroin, mimics natural
opiates and binds and turns off dopamine inhibition. Dopamine is then allowed to
flow through the synapse and give feeling of well-being. They can also be used as
pain killers. Lastly, LSD, mimics serotonin and effects to their receptors. They inhibit
these receptors and sometimes excite them. Causing complex sensory effects and it
also causes hallucinogens.