Comparison And Contrast Essay
Comparisons and Contrast between Alcohol and Marijuana
The Effects on the Brain
Michael Smith, Jr.
Morehouse College, Department of Psychology
Author Note:
This paper was prepared for Psychology 102G, section 01, taught by Professor Chris Markham. Cannabis is a plant that can be grown all over the world. Many people use the common term marijuana instead of Cannabis. Moreover, in today’s society, marijuana can be defined as a political movement, legal issue, agriculture crop, medical drug, or as a recreational intoxication. In more simple terms, marijuana is a bunch of leaves. Many would think that a bunch of leaves could not be harmful. However, marijuana contains a chemical called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol …show more content…
Although there are many types of neurotransmitters, two classes of which are called excitatory and inhibitory. Excitatory neurotransmitters have effects that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing at action potential; however, inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing at action potential. One major inhibitory neurotransmitter is Gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA. Alcohol inhibits neurotransmitter GABA that is responsible for movement and speech. (Jacobson, 1986) When alcohol inhibits this neurotransmitter, it results in sluggish movement and slurred speech. However, alcohol inhibits the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. (Parson, 1996) It increases the chemical dopamine, which results in the feeling of pleasure when taking drinks. (Parson, 1996) Many parts of the brain are affected when consuming alcohol. As an individual’s blood alcohol content, BAC, increases, more parts of the brain are affected. (Parson, 1996) BAC alludes to the amount of alcohol contained in a person’s blood. Normally, BAC is measured as a weight per unit that is converted to a percentage such as 10% or .08%. For example, 10% represents that one-tenth of a
The Effects on the Brain
Michael Smith, Jr.
Morehouse College, Department of Psychology
Author Note:
This paper was prepared for Psychology 102G, section 01, taught by Professor Chris Markham. Cannabis is a plant that can be grown all over the world. Many people use the common term marijuana instead of Cannabis. Moreover, in today’s society, marijuana can be defined as a political movement, legal issue, agriculture crop, medical drug, or as a recreational intoxication. In more simple terms, marijuana is a bunch of leaves. Many would think that a bunch of leaves could not be harmful. However, marijuana contains a chemical called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol …show more content…
Although there are many types of neurotransmitters, two classes of which are called excitatory and inhibitory. Excitatory neurotransmitters have effects that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing at action potential; however, inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing at action potential. One major inhibitory neurotransmitter is Gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA. Alcohol inhibits neurotransmitter GABA that is responsible for movement and speech. (Jacobson, 1986) When alcohol inhibits this neurotransmitter, it results in sluggish movement and slurred speech. However, alcohol inhibits the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. (Parson, 1996) It increases the chemical dopamine, which results in the feeling of pleasure when taking drinks. (Parson, 1996) Many parts of the brain are affected when consuming alcohol. As an individual’s blood alcohol content, BAC, increases, more parts of the brain are affected. (Parson, 1996) BAC alludes to the amount of alcohol contained in a person’s blood. Normally, BAC is measured as a weight per unit that is converted to a percentage such as 10% or .08%. For example, 10% represents that one-tenth of a