Drugs change the way the brain works. And the brain has some pretty heavy responsibilities, controlling body functions such as breathing, walking, and thinking.
CEREBRAL CORTEX
The largest part of your brain is the cerebral cortex. When it’s functioning normally, this section takes care of thinking, reasoning, the five senses, and controlling certain kinds of movements. But, smoking marijuana can make it tough for the cerebral cortex to do its work.
CEREBELLUM
Next, making up only one-eighth of the brain’s total weight is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is in charge of coordinating movements involved in repeated, everyday actions, such as brushing teeth and riding a bike. One of the health risks of abusing inhalants is that they may damage this part of the brain.
BRAIN STEM
Just above the spinal cord, a small section of your brain called the brain stem controls basic functions, such as breathing, digesting food, and maintaining your heartbeat. Taking heroin can slow breathing—even to the point of death—because it affects the brain stem.
LIMBIC SYSTEM
Then, there’s the limbic system, also known as the emotional brain. This is where feelings like fear and passion are born. Many scientists believe that steroids act on the limbic system and cause some users to experience out-of-control Feelings of violent aggression called roid rage.
NUCLEUS ACCUMBEANS
Scientists have identified a reward pathway in the brain that includes the nucleus accumbens. When we do something that is key to survival, such as eating when we are hungry, the reward pathway is stimulated. Most drugs that are addictive, like cocaine, also stimulate this reward pathway, often more than natural rewards, such as food. Our brains are wired to remember what activates this pathway. That is why when we are hungry, we may crave food, and when a drug abuser’s brain gets used to drugs, he or she craves drugs as well.
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