While this blog has been focused on explaining and researching the effects of alcohol on the brain, drugs while a different substance, still have substantial effects on the human brain and not just adolescent brains, every brain that comes in contact with a foreign substance. Drugs are chemicals that affect the brain by interfering with the way neurons normally send, receive, and process information. Some drugs such as marijuana and heroin activate neurons because the structure of the drugs mimic that of a neurotransmitter. The similarity in structure that the drug has fools receptors and allow the foreign substance ( the drug) to attach and activate neurons. Even though the drugs act like the brain's own chemical signals, they don't activate neurons in a manner that a natural transmitter would and that leads to abnormal brain functions being transmitted through the brain. As a society people need to be educated on how both alcohol and drugs, even in the smallest doses can have damaging and toxic effects on the human brain. The human brain is the most complex organ in our bodies and it needs to be treated with extreme care. People need to be taught on the truly detrimental effects of foreign substances on the brain and learn to act in a way that ensures a long and happy life. Feel free to comment on this post or post any links on more information for this project, the more information the better!
drugabuse.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/
publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain>.