Cocaine's brain effect revealed (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Brain scans have revealed a possible biological basis for cocaine addiction which may explain why some get hooked, while others can use the drug socially.

The scans show cocaine alters parts of the brain controlling behaviour and appropriate decision-making.

In effect, the drug messes with what is colloquially known as willpower - with some maybe more vulnerable than others.

Trinity College Dublin researchers will present their findings to a Royal Society meeting.

The researchers took brain scans of cocaine users while they performed computer tasks.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7262971.stm

[Warpy]

1. Don't forget the alcohol's effect on the chimp

Most of that slackjawed idiocy comes from the booze. The coke just fouled up any semblance of good judgment.

Coke is like any other drug. Most people will try it and be able to walk away. An unlucky few will fall in love with it immediately and never want to do anything else with their lives. You can never tell beforehand who will succumb and who won't.

Coke is extremely hard to kick because former addicts find their pleasure centers have been completely numbed. Most will need to be on antidepressants for the rest of their lives.

It's all going to come down to brain chemistry, not morals and certainly not Jebus.