Dear Alex, here is the problem with your relationship with Angela

THE PLEASURE CENTRES AFFECTED BY DRUGS

Pleasue and Pain Pleasure and Drugs Neurological Intermediate

The behaviours that the reward curcuit drives us to repeat, as in the case of a drh dependency, can be reinforced positively or negatively. In a positive reinforcement, the motivation for seeking the substance is the pleasure it provides in a negative reinforcement, the motivation is to relieve a physical discomfort, a depressive state, or social isolation. Various theories explaining dependency behaviour posit that both types of reinforcement could be at play simultaneously to differing extents.

The nucleus accumbens definitely plays a central role in the reward circuit.Its operation is based chiefly on two essential neurotransmitters: dopamine, which promotes desire, and serotonin, whose effects include satiety and inhubition. Many animal studies have shown that all drugs increase the production of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, while reducing the serotonin. Amphetamines increase dopamines quite a bit.

But the nucleus accumbens does not work in isolation. It maintains close relations with other centres involved in the mechanisms of pleasure, and in particular, with the ventral tegmental area (VTA).

Located in the midbrain, at the top of the brainstem, the VTA is one of the most primitive parts of the brain. It is the neurons of the VTA that synthesize dopamine, which their axons then send to the nucleus accumbens. The VTA is also influenced by endorphines whose receptors are targeted by opiate drugs such as herion and morphone + perhaps speed.

Another structure involved in pleasure mechanisms is the prefrontal cortex, whose role in planning and motivating action is well established. The prefrontal cortex is a significant relay in the reward circuit and also modulated by dopamine.

The locus coeruleus, an alarm centre of the brain and poacked with norepinephrine, is another brain structure that plays an important role in drug addiction. When stimulated by a lack of the drug in question, the locus coerulus drives the addict to do anything necessary to obtain a fix. - including speed or metamphetamine - if she was on that - chrys meth etc - affects re- uptake of transmitters - so up meth up synapses down meth down synapses + original re - uptake lowered = withdrawal symptoms = addictive quality = suicidal thoughts depression etc...

Three structures in the limbic system also play an active part in the pleasure circuit and consequently, in drug dependency. The first is the amygdala, which imparts agreeable or disagreeable affective colorations to perceptions. (you overactivate this bit in me causing anxiety - I deal)

The second is the hippocampus, the foundation of memory, which preserves the agreeable memories associated with taking the drug and, by association, all of the detailsof the environment in which it is taken. Sometime in the future, these details may reawaken the desire to take the drug and perhaps contribute to recidivism in the patient.

The third structure, the most anterior portion of the insular cortex, or insula, is regarded as part opf the limbic system and is thought to possibly play a role in the active pleasure - seeking associated both with food and with psychoactive substances. Damasio proposed that this part of the cortex tells us about the bodily states associated with our emitional experiences. In this way, the insula might also contribute to the conscious aspect of our needs and desires. So - problem you have the effect on everyone, especially depressed persons - of elevating mood. They or Angela gets to know you and finds out you don't or rather can't care about her - she will crash into depression. Not entirely unsimular to amphetamine using + forced withdraw. Yes, and suicidal ideation is a withdraw symptom of speed. I hope this helps. Love Caitlin 5/12/2011