By: Taylor Mara

James Juel

Max Smith

Affects The Brain• Addiction affects

the whole brain. Primarily the brain stem. The limbic system and the cerebral.

• Addiction starts to occur after someone has tried or used drugs multiple times.

• 45% of people try drugs again after they have done it once.

1. The brain isn't used to function without the drug once they have become addicted.

2. All drugs of abuse—nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and others affect the brain’s “reward” circuit. Normally, the reward circuit responds to pleasurable experiences by releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure, and tells the brain that this is something important.

• Addiction effects the whole brain and memories too.

• The brain stem controls basic functions critical to life, such as heart rate, breathing, and sleeping.

• The limbic system contains the brain's reward circuit - it links together a number of brain structures that control and regulate our ability to feel pleasure.

• The cerebral cortex is divided into areas that control specific functions. Different areas process information from our senses, enabling us to see, feel, hear, and taste. The front part of the cortex, the frontal cortex or forebrain, is the thinking center of the brain; it powers our ability to think, plan, solve problems, and make decisions.

• When you have a drug problem you feel isolated helpless and very alone. Drugs alters the brain so much when you think your okay when your not.

• People can change after having a bad drug addiction.

• You can always get sober.

The brain is effected by many things including addiction stats show addiction effects your

cortex, which is your decision making and your limbic region which is the drive to do things.

DONT DO DRUGS • By:

• Taylor Mara• James Juel• Max Smith