The Science of Addiction

The science of addiction occurs in the brain which in turn affects the rest of the body.

Pathways:
There are pathways in the brain which is like a power source connecting to parts of the brain.  This is made up of neurons connecting from one region to the next.  There are dopamine pathways which is used in the reward pathway.  There is also serotonin pathways which is involved in the use of many drugs.  This includes cocaine, amphetamines, LSD, and alcohol.  Serotonin is able to go almost everywhere in the brain due to Raphe nuclei.

Killing Potential:
Some drugs have the ability to mock other important chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.  This causes the pleasure pathway to feel a source of pleasure.  What we do not realize is the fact that drugs have toxic substances in them.  This can kill.  Since it is on the pleasure pathway this can cause the addiction.

Stimulants:
Stimulants can kill in three ways.  This is brain damage, heart attacks, and overheating.  The brain damage can occur because there is increased blood pressure from the stimulant and narrowing of blood vessels around the brain which causes less blood flow around the brain.  Heart attacks can happen because the heart demands more oxygen from the increased activity from the drug.  There is also less blood supply which can lead to a deadly heart attack.  Overheating can kill because dopamine controls body temperature and when the stimulant is taken this affects the levels of dopamine.  The increase in body temperature can lead to organ failure and death.