Want to learn more?  Check out "Mind Over Matter" and how drugs affect the developing teen brain.

Billions of nerve cells make up the central nervous system and the human brain. These nerve cells communicate by way of a multi-faceted array of chemicals called neurotransmitters which are released from the pre-synaptic end of an axon into a synapse and absorbed at the opposite end, or post-synaptic dendrite of nerve cells.

These neuro-chemicals are responsible for brain and nerve functions including but not limited to: learning, memory, thinking, and the emotions connected to pleasure and pain. These nerve cell functions take place through activation and inhibition of the neurotransmitters and their absorption at various receptors.

Drugs that can make a person “high” (alteration of the normal state of consciousness) are called “psychoactive” and they interfere in some way with the release, re-uptake, or receptor activation of these neurotransmitters. Research has shown that the effect takes place mostly on the brains reward system (interpretation of pleasure) and involves one or more specific neurotransmitters called dopamine and GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid).

Taking psychoactive drugs, whether they are street drugs like marijuana, K2, crack, LSD and heroin, or whether they are unsupervised prescription medications like synthetic opioids (Oxycontin), stimulants-amphetamines (Adderall), benzodiazepines (Valium, Dilaudid), barbiturates (codeine, phenobarb) act on brain chemistry. This action can cause an imbalance which may lead to behavioral abnormalities.

Approved prescription medications have been studied for their specific use, dose and side effects. Even under monitored clinical supervision these drugs can cause serious problems. Imagine ingesting a substance of unknown purity and without knowledge of its side effects or strength/potency. Well, this happens all the time when people seek to get high. It also happens when minors binge drink to get drunk due to their naiveté regarding the possibility of alcohol poisoning.

In any event, when psychoactive chemicals are ingested, the neurotransmitters of the central nervous system can be either shut down or over-stimulated resulting in possibly serious behavioral problems ranging from assault, depression, neurosis, psychosis, rape, addiction and other complications, even death. Youth whose executive cognitive functions that help in eliminating impulsive decisions do not fully develop until their mid-twenties should be encouraged, at every opportunity, to avoid such risky behavior.