Dopamine related to "fav stimulate"
"The results of our study suggest that the DSD2 locus in involved in sex dimorphism of amphetamine dependence liability."
{1} K. Blum et al., JAMA, 263: 2055-2060, 1990
2{2} E.P. BNoble, Addiction Biology, 1:333-348, 1996
\\\\\one of many JAMAs supporting this evidence/////
SO BASICALLY,
Anytime you start dumping out a crap load of dopamine
in those pleasure/habit-forming/reproductive parts of the
brain.. i.e. the hippocamus you're going to "rush harder,"
that is to say you'll have a better body high as well as
a longer, harder experience. It's not just that people just
like stronger amphetamine-backboned drugs.. use of them
program the brain to "prefer them" and crave "need them."
TO BREAK IT DOWN FURTHER,
Meth - releases massive amounts of dopamine at many sites, triggering other reward neurotransmitters.
4-Methyl - releases less dopamine at specific sites resulting in less pleasure-seeking behavior and perceived preference.
Coke - not related to the amphetamine family but still dumps a lot of it
out. Specific sites, but sites having some of the highest habit-forming roles.
Amphetamine - just like it's relative Meth, it releases a lot of dopamine.. but alas w/o a methyl group to potentiate it's receptor ambivilance it's not as strong.
Methyphenidate - amphetamine like drug, although it does not contain a full chemical amphetamine backbone. Much less dopamine overall BUT.. activates the brain stem in very specific ways that the others do not as effectively or at all in some cases, thus
producing its trademark, smooth and concentrative effects.
The favorite stimulate poll was easily predicted. All drug use is related to brain structure, and as we know structure is related to function, drug behavior is statistically correlated with the organization of our brains.
MY PERS. FAV,
Methylphenidate/Ritalin - why?
1. less addictive potential
2. less cracked-out situations
3. can be used for school/work in a responsible manner w/o that "OMG,
I'M ON DRUGS @ WORK, ETC." thing. this does not apply to our friends at
Mickey D's or Taco Bell
4. does not almost always statistically produce "chronic abuse," a disease, premanent reprogramming almost always resulting in death
5. fun, euphoric, and available from yo' doctor
BUT, that don't mean that back in day, I wasn't the SPEED ANGEL.