Drugs and the Brain | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Drugs and the Brain | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

High-resolution, non-invasive imaging techniques produce detailed diagrams of neural tracts, enabling new analyses of how brain regions are connected. Credit: Washington University - University of Minnesota Human Connectome Project consortium (http://humanconnectome.org/).
See more Brain Images on the NIDA web site

Brief Description

The human brain is the most complex organ in the body—you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpiece, and to enjoy everyday activities. In brief, the brain regulates your body’s basic functions; enables you to interpret and respond to everything you experience; and shapes your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Drugs, however, can alter important brain areas that are necessary for life-sustaining functions and can drive the compulsive drug abuse that marks addiction. As a result, NIDA supports a large body of neuroscience research that can provide clues how better to manage and prevent substance use disorders.

Research

• Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD)
• NIH Brain Initiative

Effects of Specific Drugs on the Brain

• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Bath Salts
• K2/Spice
• MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
• Methamphetamine
• Hallucinogens

Related Videos

• Drugs & the Brain Wallet Card  0:361 of 11
• The Human Brain: Major Structures and Functions  5:052 of 11
• The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Methamphetamine  2:403 of 11
• The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Cocaine  2:334 of 11
• The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Natural Rewards and Drugs   1:485 of 11
• The Rise and Fall of the Cocaine High  2:006 of 11
• Holographic Brain  1:467 of 11
• The Swiss Cheese Model of Drug Addiction  1:458 of 11
• Investigating Drug Abuse: Brain Imaging   1:509 of 11
• Investigating Drug Abuse: Brain Neurons  1:2710 of 11
• Why Are Drugs So Hard to Quit  2:0411 of 11

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Related Publications

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction

Provides scientific information about the disease of drug addiction, including the many harmful consequences of drug abuse and the basic approaches that have been developed to prevent and treat the disease. (July 2014) En Español

Brain Power: Grades 4-5

Offers an interactive science education program for students in grades 4–5 to explore the human brain and the effects of drugs on the brain. Includes six modules, parent newsletters, posters, and videos. (September 2012)

Brain Power: Grades 2-3

Provides a science program for students in grades 2–3 to educate them about their brains, why they should protect them, and how drugs such as nicotine and medications can be harmful. Includes six modules, parent newsletters, and videos. (September 2012)

Brain Power: Grades K-1

Offers an interactive science education program for students in grades K–1 about scientists, the brain, and the effects of drugs on the human body. Includes five learning modules, student resources, parent newsletters, and videos. (September 2009)

Brain Power: Grades 6-9

Offers an interactive science education program for students in grades 6–9 about the brain and the effects of drugs on the body. Includes six modules, resources for students, parent guides, and online activities. ()

Related NIDA Notes Articles

• A Family-Oriented Intervention May Reduce the Effects of Poverty on Brain Development (January 2018)
• Deep Brain Stimulation Attenuates Rats’ Responses to Heroin (October 2017)
• Narrative of Discovery: Can Magnets Treat Cocaine Addiction? (September 2015)

View more related NIDA Notes

Related News Releases

• Special journal issue highlights ABCD brain study (June 2018)
• Study upends conventional view of opioid mechanism of action (May 2018)
• NIH releases first dataset from unprecedented study of adolescent brain development (February 2018)

View more related News Releases

Related Resources

• Commonly Abused Drugs Charts
• Neuroscience Consortium

Other Resources

• MEDLINEplus Health Information on Drug Abuse - National Library of Medicine, NIH
• www.abovetheinfluence.com - Office of National Drug Control Policy
• healthfinder.gov - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies in human volunteers conducted to answer specific health questions. Learn about the NIH-sponsored clinical trials available to you.

• NIDA Clinical Trial Locator - answer a few simple questions and get contact information for Clinical Trials near you.

Other Clinical Trials information sources:

• NIH Clinical Trials and You - NIH site that helps explain about clinical trials and why people participate.
• NIDA Trials at ClinicalTrials.gov - a resource of federally and privately supported clinical trials.
• Clinical Research Studies from the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) - a NIDA coordinated network of research institutions conducting human trials on drug abuse solutions.
• Research Studies at NIDA Intramural Research Program - located in Baltimore, Maryland.