Figure 2

Neurotransmitter regulation of reward-seeking behavior. The common pathway of reward-seeking behavior in the brain is the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. This pathway is modulated by many naturally occurring substances in the brain in order to deliver normal reinforcement to adaptive behaviors (such as eating, drinking, sex) and thus to produce “natural highs,” such as feelings of joy or accomplishment. These neurotransmitter inputs to the reward system include the brain’s own morphine/heroin (i.e., endorphins such as enkephalin), the brain’s own cannabis/marijuana (i.e., anandamide), the brain’s own nicotine (i.e., acetylcholine), and the brain’s own cocaine/amphetamine (i.e., dopamine itself), among others. The numerous psychotropic drugs of abuse that occur in nature bypass the brain’s own neurotransmitters and directly stimulate the brain’s receptors in the reward system, causing dopamine release and a consequent “artificial high.” Thus alcohol, opiates, stimulants, marijuana, benzodiazepines, sedative hypnotics, hallucinogens, and nicotine all affect this mesolimbic dopaminergic system.