Scientific research has shown us how the whole brain reacts to cocaine, but do we know how blood vessels react? A new study done by researchers from Stony Brook University in New York shows us just that.
Before starting their study, researchers knew that cocaine heavily affects the brain, causing strokes and aneurysm-like bleeding. They were even able to tell through MRIs what parts of the brain were being stimulated and affected. But what happens to the blood vessels in the brain remained mysterious. To gain more understanding on this, the researchers took two sets of mice. They fed one set of mice cocaine, and used the other set as a constant and let them be. They found that after 30 days of cocaine use, there is a high drop in blood flow speed. Low blood flow to blood vessels is exactly what causes a stroke to occur.
This study and its finding is good news for the addiction and recovery community. More researchers will want to look further into this and other issues dealing with drugs, which will bring more knowledge to us. As more studies are done, we will learn even more about what causes addiction and learn new ways to treat it.