The reward system in the brain releases dopamine to promote motivation and pleasure, like jumping in a pool.
The frontal lobe is the location of the reward system. This level rises naturally during activities causing excitement and happiness.
TIME
After excitement, the dopamine levels lower back to normal levels.
The dopamine levels return to a natural amount.
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DRUG
Drugs impact the brain by flooding the reward system in the frontal lobe with dopamine. This large release causes the user to feel euphoric.
LEVEL OF DOPAMINE RELEASED
The brain stops producing dopamine naturally because of the high levels flooding the brain.
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Natural Level
After the high the brain has not released its own dopamine. This low level lasts for some time, usually leading to reoccurring drug use to continue the high.
LEVEL OF DOPAMINE RELEASED
This reoccurrence of drug use helps fuel the addiction cycle. Family or friends of users may not recognize this dopamine drop and may only see poor choices. This creates the stigma of addicts.