In the readings for this week information was presented on the role of neurotransmitters in certain mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and depression. I also presented information on how drugs can affect neurotransmitter function. In fact, drugs are often used to treat mental illness by modulating neurotransmitter levels. That’s particularly true regarding the conditions mentioned. Taken together these findings raise the question as to whether or not drugs could also alter one’s brain chemistry enough to induce mental illness. I mentioned that long-term use of cocaine and amphetamines can produce symptoms similar to paranoid schizophrenia. But, is it actually schizophrenia?

This has actually been debated for years. And there is a lot of misinformation on the topic. Anti-Drug organizations are notorious for making claims that drugs can cause mental illness. But these claims are usually based on anecdotal evidence, not scientific research. It is possible that certain drugs may adversely affect someone already prone to mental illness, producing that ‘triggering event’ that pushes them over the edge. But can drugs actually produce mental illness in a perfectly normally functioning individual?

So I’d like to do a little research on this. Are there any legitimate scientific findings to indicate that the use of certain drugs could actually induce mental illness? I’m going to extend the time frame for this one because it’s going to be difficult to sort through all the contradictory claims being made. Sometime this week make an initial post regarding your opinion on the possibility that the use of certain drugs could induce mental illness. And cite evidence you found in support of that claim. Then next week, respond to the claims made by your classmates. You might even want to research evidence that supports or disputes their claims.

Obviously, I’m desperately trying to come up with a discussion topic about neurons and neurochemistry that is actually interesting.

As an added incentive this one is actually worth 15 points, not the usual 10.