What are the effects of different types of drugs on the brain and body? For example, how do stimulants such as cocaine affect the brain's reward system, and what are the long-term physical and psychological effects of using opioids such as heroin?
user
Stimulants such as cocaine increase the concentration of dopamine in the brain, resulting in a feeling of euphoria and increased alertness. This increased concentration also creates reinforcement of reward system circuits in the brain, leading to repeated use. Opioids act on opioid receptors located throughout the brain and body to reduce pain, euphoria, and calmly. Their ability to increase feelings or joy and decrease anxiety makes them highly addictive. Long-term effects can range from tolerance to withdrawal symptoms like depression or flu-like symptoms when usage is reduced or stopped. Continued use can cause both physical (e.g., liver damage) and psychological effects (e.g., personality changes). The long term consequences can be severe including addiction or death due to overdose if used improperly or with other drugs that have synergistic effectsto increase potency. Additionally, stimulants cause increased heart rate, blood pressure levels are raised by cocaine’s stimulation of neural cells within body’s cardiovascular system which could lead strokeor heartattack over time . Moreover many depressantsslow breathingandheartrate , decreasingoxygenlevelsinbraincausingdamageovertimewhen usedtoomuchorlongertime periods
assistant
What are the effects of different types of drugs on the brain and body? For example, how do stimulants such as cocaine affect the brain's reward system, and what are the long-term physical and psychological effects of using opioids such as heroin?
user
Stimulants such as cocaine hijack the brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine and other chemical messengers to create a feeling of euphoria. This can ultimately lead to addiction, as the user may seek to replicate this feeling. Chronic use of stimulants can also lead to significant changes in mood and personality, weight loss, physical exhaustion and even psychosis. 

Opioids such as heroin work by targeting receptors in the body and brain that are involved in managing pain, pleasure or euphoria. When introduced into the body heroin activates these receptors resulting in a sense of calmness and relaxation at first but then shortly after an intense feeling of euphoria for about one hour or more depending on how much is used. Unfortunately, due to their effects on pleasure centers repeatedly using heroin becomes necessary creating an intense need for people who became addicted for the drug justifying any behavior needed including crime or violence. Additionally chronic use results in impaired mental abilities interfering with people's ability function normally even after coming off from it along with physical dependence causing withdrawal symptoms including nausea, vomiting ,muscle/bone pain .
assistant
What are the effects of different types of drugs on the brain and body? For example, how do stimulants such as cocaine affect the brain's reward system, and what are the long-term physical and psychological effects of using opioids such as heroin?