How does cocaine affect the nervous system and what causes addiction?

[student007]

Can anyone hook me up with some good sites that describe the science behind how cocaine affects the human nervous system? I've searched by found little quality I'll be grateful is you can procide me with any sites/info.

 

[cronxeh]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine

http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/cocaine/

Amphetamines and cocaine bind to — thus blocking — transporters used for the reuptake of dopamine (and noradrenaline) into presynaptic neurons. This causes the level of dopamine to rise in the synapses. High levels of dopamine in an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens appear to mediate the pleasurable effects associated with these (as well as other) psychoactive drugs.

Source: http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/D/Drugs.html

 

[DocToxyn]

If you are looking for more specific peer-reviewed scientific journal articles check out PubMed. I put in the search terms "cocaine human nervous system review" and turned up over 500 articles including: Psychostimulants and monoamine transporters: upsetting the balance and Dopamine mechanisms and cocaine reward.

 

[student007]

I'm still slightly confused...what process is this that cocaine interupts? can anyone maybe give me a reader's digest version? Like, i know that cocaine interupts neurons, but i have no idea if / how it effects the pre or post-synaptics neurons. I just want to get a better general understanding of this. thanx

 

[student007]

Also, what is it that actually makes cocaine addictive? Is there a known chemical, or is it just the desire to reach euphoria?