Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 7/22/2008

Question
I have a question about the use of cocaine and its impact on regular life. When I was studying the brain part of drugs I came to this question. Please help me to find an answer! The body reacts to the use of cocaine by decreasing the number of dopamine receptors which is called tolerancy. But does that mean that a smaller number of dopamine receptors will affect a person's "normal" life as well. Meaning that if a person with tolerance to cocaine (smaller # of dopamine receptors) has sex, the amount of dopamine produced will have a smaller effect than if the person didn't have tolerance because there are only few receptores left for dopamine produced by sex. Do I make the right connection?
Thank you so much!

Sincerely

Matous Hejl

Answer
Hi Matous,

Please go to our web site and search for "Dopamine". This will lead you to articles where I have mentioned dopamine. I believe that oxytocin, a mammalian neurotransmitters released from the posterior lobe of the pituitary glands and involved with the contraction of the uterus in childbirth also plays a role in achieving orgasm in both sexes.

A person with a reduced number of receptors for dopamine and other feel good neurotransmitters will have problems enjoying sex.  Also search our web site for ANHEDONIA.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman
Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman