PSYCHOLOGY OF EMOTIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Cocaine blocks the dopamine transporter, inhibiting reuptake of dopamine from the synaptic cleft into the pre-synaptic axon terminal; the higher dopamine levels in the synaptic cleft increase dopamine receptor activation in the post-synaptic neuron, causing euphoria and arousal.

Detailed explanation-2: -For example, cocaine acts by binding to the dopamine transporter, blocking the removal of dopamine from the synapse. Dopamine then accumulates in the synapse to produce an amplified signal to the receiving neurons.

Detailed explanation-3: -Thus, cocaine influences both the [alpha]-adrenergic and the muscarinic response at the receptor level. Experiments on various objects have shown that cocaine activates the [alpha]-adrenergic response and inhibits the muscarinic one.

Detailed explanation-4: -Mechanism of Action Topical cocaine has an anesthetic effect similar to local anesthetics (such as lidocaine) from sodium channel blockade and interference with action potential propagation. This Vaughn-Williams class IC effect also increases the risk of conduction disturbance and tachyarrhythmias.

Detailed explanation-5: -Explain why cocaine is able to bind to the dopamine transporter. Dopamine and cocaine have similar shapes so cocaine can fit transporter. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter released in some synapses in the brain. It is transported back out of the synaptic gap by a transport protein in the pre-synaptic membrane.