Katina accurately illustrated the effects of cocaine on the dopamine pathways in the brain through a unique combination of color and symbolism. In her essay, Katina explains both the physical and molecular effects cocaine has on the body as well as the short and long term implications it has on our health. This extremely addictive drug enters the brain through the bloodstream through several methods where it takes ahold of the limbic system. This brain region control several sensations including pleasure, anger, and sadness. When ingested, cocaine induces a high caused by an influx of dopamine molecules, deemed the “feel good” molecule. In a sober brain, these molecules are removed after use to the synaptic cleft to prevent overstimulation. However, when on cocaine, the brain cannot remove these dopamine molecules as the transporters are disabled. This forces the dopamine molecules to build up within the cell and continue to bind to the receptors. This “high” does not last long however and the body builds resistance to the drug quickly. Cocaine overdoses are unfortunately very common because of this progression. Overdoses causes increases heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, increased respiration, and can worsen pre-existing medical conditions. Katina’s STEAM project concisely addresses the dopamine pathway in the brain as well as how cocaine interrupts this process. This knowledge was then transformed into two paintings which visually depicts the difference between a sober reception pathway and pathway hijacked by cocaine. Great work!
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Katina accurately illustrated the effects of cocaine on the dopamine pathways in the brain through a unique combination of color and symbolism. In her essay, Katina explains both the physical and molecular effects cocaine has on the body as well as the short and long term implications it has on our health. This extremely addictive drug enters the brain through the bloodstream through several methods where it takes ahold of the limbic system. This brain region control several sensations including pleasure, anger, and sadness. When ingested, cocaine induces a high caused by an influx of dopamine molecules, deemed the “feel good” molecule. In a sober brain, these molecules are removed after use to the synaptic cleft to prevent overstimulation. However, when on cocaine, the brain cannot remove these dopamine molecules as the transporters are disabled. This forces the dopamine molecules to build up within the cell and continue to bind to the receptors. This “high” does not last long however and the body builds resistance to the drug quickly. Cocaine overdoses are unfortunately very common because of this progression. Overdoses causes increases heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, increased respiration, and can worsen pre-existing medical conditions. Katina’s STEAM project concisely addresses the dopamine pathway in the brain as well as how cocaine interrupts this process. This knowledge was then transformed into two paintings which visually depicts the difference between a sober reception pathway and pathway hijacked by cocaine. Great work!