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>cocaine are probably the only outstandingly dangerous ones due to immediate bodily effects Is that true about ? I "know" that heroin ends up causing a physica
by moonchrome 11y ago
>cocaine are probably the only outstandingly dangerous ones due to immediate bodily effects
Is that true about ? I "know" that heroin ends up causing a physical addiction + all the risks with the way it's used but I was under the impression that cocaine was in the same category as speed/extasy in terms of downsides.
- zanny 11y agoJust quoting wikipedia on this one, but: Cocaine addiction occurs through accumbal ΔFosB overexpression, which arises through transcriptional regulation and epigenetic remodeling of the nucleus accumbens. It is definitely physically addictive, and alters brain chemistry through long term use. It also causes accelerated heart rate. I'll give its not nearly as bad as tobacco, but it is in a league above psychedelics.
- moonchrome 11y agoSure but MDMA/meth aren't psychedelics either but you made a distinction between them so I was curious why. From my high school experiences I would put them in the same league (although I know very little about the science behind them they are all recreational party drugs, former being a lot cheaper than the latter)
- cjhveal 11y agoThe GP was comparing cocaine to (substituted) amphetamines, which as with most dopaminergic psychostimulants also cause addiction via changes to ΔFosB expression. Hence, I'd say the comparison isn't incorrect, even if the GP's appraisal of the potential harm of speed/ecstasy may have been understated. However, ΔFosB expression is also impacted by all kinds of behaviors and substances, including palatable/calorie-dense foods, exercise, and sex. There's a lot of things that alter brain chemistry in the long term if abused.