The Narcotic Effect on the Human Brain
The narcotic effect is a term widely used within the medical industry, and it relates to the way in which particular drugs and medications can take a toll on the human body; particularly the brain. All drugs, regardless of their source, will introduce alien toxins and chemicals to the body – and it is the responsibility of the brain to define those that can be harmful, and those that can actually serve a purpose.
This is why many medically prescribed drugs come with warnings on their packaging. Although they can be useful when combatting particular ailments and medical conditions; they can also result in unwanted side effects, depending on the types of chemicals used within their formulation. Street narcotics on the other hand come with no such warning, and it’s these drugs that are often responsible for the tens of thousands of fatalities, addictions, and dependencies that occur every year.
How do narcotics affect the human brain?
Depending on the drug, the effect on the brain can differ. Cocaine for example has a tendency of overwhelming pain receptors in a way that can make a person feel invulnerable, and this mind-altering drug is one of the most dangerous as a result. Heroin on the other hand can numb these same receptors, in a way that provides a feeling of ecstasy or a high, and this event can pose its own concerns.
A drug that takes longer to come into effect is marijuana, and although the herb has been revealed to possess particularly beneficial properties; it can also have adverse effects on the human brain. For instance, it can take its toll on the three regions that alcohol also targets, albeit where drug (substance) abuse is concerned, the results can be far more detrimental in a much lesser period of time.
These three parts of the brain are called the anterior insula, the anterior cingulate, and the right supermarginal gyrus. These lobules are responsible for receiving and sending waves of pain and discomfort throughout the nervous system, as well as producing chemicals that are used to understand this pain by providing rational thought.
When under the influence of narcotics such as cocaine, LSD, cannabis, and heroin – it’s not uncommon for the regular processes to struggle to function as intended. This is why many sufferers report feelings of a lack of self-awareness, not unlike the experiences associated with being under the influence of alcohol.
With repeat and consistent exposure, these three parts of the brain can suffer with damage – and the more severe the consumption and use, the more drastic the toll can be. Even in the simplest of cases the cells within these regions of the brain can be damaged beyond repair, and over time the results can be catastrophic, if not fatal. Especially if left untreated by a drug rehab clinic, or a recovery and drug detoxing program at the very least.