It feels good, then it gets you hooked, then it can ruin your life. While a lot of people might be familiar with the effects and side effects of cocaine, few people know exactly what cocaine does to the brain once it’s in your system.
The science is in, and you don’t have to be a biologist to understand how cocaine works! With this blog, you too will be able to answer “What does cocaine do to your brain?”.
Cocaine has profound effects on the brain, primarily by interfering with the normal communication between neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Some of its most prominent effects include but are not limited to:
Cocaine primarily affects the brain’s reward system by increasing the levels of hormones and neurotransmitters that produce a pleasurable, and even euphoric, response. You may have heard of this ‘reward system’ previously, but it is actually made up of many different specific areas of the brain.
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is located in the midbrain and produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter related to pleasure and reward. Dopamine is delivered from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens and other areas of the brain.
The nucleus accumbens is located in the basal forebrain, and is often considered the primary pleasure centre. It processes rewards and the reinforcement of positive behaviours through dopamine.
The amygdala is located in the medial temporal lobe, and helps with processing emotions, including what emotions we receive from certain triggers. This helps us to associate rewards with certain emotions, and memories.
The hippocampus is located right next to the amygdala and is important for forming and consolidating memories. Here we are able to make connections between actions and rewards, like how the amygdala does between emotions and rewards.
The prefrontal cortex describes the upper frontal part of your brain, and is one of the last areas of the brain to develop. It is associated with planning, impulse control, and self-control. It can help us to regulate our reward seeking behaviours and weigh up the pros and cons of certain actions.
Finally, the hypothalamus is located deep in the brain, hidden between the two cerebral hemispheres. It regulates many different physiological processes, which include those that are related to rewards such as sex, eating, and drinking.
Earlier it was mentioned that chronic (long-term) cocaine use can have both psychological and physical impacts on the brain. Potential consequences of that long term use include, but are not limited to:
Here at Clinic Les Alpes we know how difficult it can be to stop using cocaine, especially if you have been a long time user. Our first-class team takes a holistic approach to help you develop an individualised treatment plan that targets your exact needs and goals.
Whether you start your journey with a cocaine detoxification or if you are sober and ready to dive head-first into recovery, we are here to help you. With an interdisciplinary team in house, and 24-7 medicalised care, you and your family can rest assured that you are receiving full support in the safety and comfort of our luxury amenities.
Our philosophy revolves around ensuring that every patients unique needs are addressed in a holistic way. This means that we are here to not only treat your addiction, but also to support your mental health, physical health, and spiritual health. If you are interested in hearing more about what Clinic Les Alpes can offer you, please do not hesitate to reach out to our amazing team.
Cocaine has an enormous and near instant effect on the brain. But this flood of euphoria comes at a price, and with cocaine impacting so many different areas of the brain it can be easy to understand how addiction develops and how hard it is to recover.
So what does cocaine do to your brain? We know now that the answer is a lot darker, and more complicated than perhaps we realised. Be sure to use this knowledge to empower yourself to make health-promoting choices and live your best life.
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