In studies conducted by Dr. Kreek's group, addicts were given a test agent called metyrapone. This chemical prevents the production of cortisol in the adrenal glands, which reduces the level of cortisol in the blood. The brain and pituitary starts generating more of these chemicals.
Physicians utilize metyrapone to test whether a person's stress system is functioning normally. When metyrapone is provided to nonaddicted people, the ACTH level in the blood escalates. But, when Dr. Kreek and her colleagues gave metyrapone to heroin addicts, the ACTH level increased very slightly. When the scientists administered metyrapone to heroin addicts who were avoiding heroin use and who were not using methadone (synthetic opioid medication which overcomes cravings for opiate drugs), the ACTH level in most of the addicts increased nearly twice as high as in non-addicts. Lastly, when the scientists administered metyrapone to heroin addicts who are protected for at least 3 months on methadone, the ACTH level increased in same amounts as in nonaddicts.
Heroin addicts underreact as all the surplus opioid molecules in the brain highly restricts the brain's stress system. Addicts who are free from heroin and methadone overreact as the sustained on-off of daily heroin use will make the stress system hypersensitive and heroin addicts who use methadone react normally as methadone balances stress system. Methadone has its reaction and acts at the same sites in the brain as that of heroin, but methadone remains active for 24 hours whereas the effects of heroin are active for only 4 to 6 hours. As methadone is active for longer time, the heroin addict will not have desire to take it three or four times a day. The brain's stress system gets adjusted to the lack of constant stimulation involved in these withdrawals,.
At the little provocation, CRF and other stress-related neurotransmitters are released into the brain, creating lousy emotions which makes the addict to take drugs again. As life consists of little provocations, addicts in withdrawal will continually have their stress system stimulated.
Physicians utilize metyrapone to test whether a person's stress system is functioning normally. When metyrapone is provided to nonaddicted people, the ACTH level in the blood escalates. But, when Dr. Kreek and her colleagues gave metyrapone to heroin addicts, the ACTH level increased very slightly. When the scientists administered metyrapone to heroin addicts who were avoiding heroin use and who were not using methadone (synthetic opioid medication which overcomes cravings for opiate drugs), the ACTH level in most of the addicts increased nearly twice as high as in non-addicts. Lastly, when the scientists administered metyrapone to heroin addicts who are protected for at least 3 months on methadone, the ACTH level increased in same amounts as in nonaddicts.
Heroin addicts underreact as all the surplus opioid molecules in the brain highly restricts the brain's stress system. Addicts who are free from heroin and methadone overreact as the sustained on-off of daily heroin use will make the stress system hypersensitive and heroin addicts who use methadone react normally as methadone balances stress system. Methadone has its reaction and acts at the same sites in the brain as that of heroin, but methadone remains active for 24 hours whereas the effects of heroin are active for only 4 to 6 hours. As methadone is active for longer time, the heroin addict will not have desire to take it three or four times a day. The brain's stress system gets adjusted to the lack of constant stimulation involved in these withdrawals,.
At the little provocation, CRF and other stress-related neurotransmitters are released into the brain, creating lousy emotions which makes the addict to take drugs again. As life consists of little provocations, addicts in withdrawal will continually have their stress system stimulated.
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