Class notes
Drugs and Behaviour Psychology - Part 6 Lecture Notes
- Course
- Institution
Drugs and Behaviour Psychology - Part 6 Lecture Notes
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Kayleigh95
Content preview
Drugs and Behaviour - Andy ParrottLecture 6: MDMA and Neurohormones – 24th October 2016
Overview:
Acute Cortisol: MDMA plus environmental stimulation. Key is total
psychophysiolgical-metabolic activation.
MDMA in energetic situations: Stronger cortisol response, also acute
effects, and more severe recovery problems.
Cortisol possibly a unitary factor for acute energetic stress?
Chronic Cortisol: A modulatory co-factor for the long term effects of regular
MDMA. Individual diffs in cortisol may help explain the variance in
functional and structural findings with recreational Ecstasy users.
Oxytocin: Pro-social aspects and sexual behaviours
Others: Various implications (Dumont and Verkes, 2006)
Cortisol: A key homeostatic neurohormone – all drugs.
Energetic stimulation and homeostatic disruption with cocaine and
amphetamine?
HPA axis and psychiatric distress – Help explain why every CNS stimulant is
associated with more problems
Oxytocin only recently studied, may be involved in many aspects of
psychoactive drug use (McGregor et al 2008)
Other neurohormones and involvements in general health, fluid retention
etc (Dumont/Verkes ‘06)
MDMA and Neurohormones
, MDMA has well documented effects on neurotransmitter systems,
including serotonin and dopamine (5-HT, DA) and others (Green et 2003;
Parrott, 2013a,b)
MDMA also has a range of neurohormonal effects.
o Cortisol an energetic stress hormone (Selye 1956).
o Cortisol most studied hormone in E users (Dumont ‘06)
o Acute and chronic changes in Ecstasy users
o Energetic stress model for MDMA (Parrott, 2006)
o Oxytocin as a pleasure hormone and MDMA.
o Other neurohormones and MDMA.
o Neurohormones and psychoactive drug
This lecture illustrates that drugs have a much wider effect on the brain, other
than just on neurotransmitters.
MDMA is a CNS stimulant.
MDMA is Ecstasy.
MDMA 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine
HPA Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
From core: MDMA is a synthetic amphetamine derivative that boosts serotonin
and several other monoamine neurotransmitters. The acute effects can be
extremely pleasant, with strong feelings of elation and empathy towards other
people. However, lethargy, midweek depression and other psychobiological
deficits develop during the period of neurochemical depletion afterward.
, Pharmacological and psychological effects
MDMA affects several neurotransmitter systems but its main effect is as an
indirect serotonin agonist.
Serotonin is involved in various psychological functions: feeling states,
memory, executive planning, psychobiological functions such as sleep and
sex.
MDMA is a powerful sympathomimetic and allows physical exertion to be
maintained for prolonged periods.
Impairs temperature control in the hypothalamus leading to many
ravers becoming over heated and hyperthermic (Dafters, 1994).
This increase in body temperature is an important contributory factor in
causing serotonergic neurotoxicity (see later for research)
Many people die from excessive fluid intake as a result of trying to prevent
the dangers of exertion by drinking plenty of water. However, is too much
fluid is taken, the electrolytes in the blood circulation can be diluted to
dangerous levels, resulting in hyponatraemia which is fatal.
Curran and Travill (1997) reported clinically borderline levels of depression
in the midweek period that followed an Ecstasy trip.
Cortisol: An energetic stress neurohormone
Selye (1956): Original concept of stress. Based on physical stressors -
extremes of heat and cold, distance running.
Cortisol and HPA axis activation. Cortisol ‘Stimulates the sympathetic
nervous system, increases catecholamine synthesis, releases stored glucose
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Kayleigh95. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.82. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
48298 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 15 years now