Influence on Neurotransmitter: Agonist or Antagonist? (Intro Psych Tutorial #28)

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In this video I discuss some ways that drugs can influence the functioning of neurotransmitters by binding to receptors on postsynaptic neurons. I explain the difference between agonist drugs which increase effects of a neurotransmitter and antagonist drugs which reduce the effects of the neurotransmitter. I explain how nicotine acts as an agonist for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and how neuroadaptation relates to addiction. Next I explain how caffeine acts an an antagonist for the neurotransmitter adenosine and how this relates to the familiar "crash" that people experience after using caffeine.

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