University of Utah’s Genetic Science Learning Center has a really great interactive flash on how different recreational drugs – alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and LSD – affect your brain.  It is very informative and incredibly amusing and not too complex for the non-neurobio majors!  I showed it to one of my classes a few semesters back and everyone loved it!  I highly recommend it.

On the topic of drugs, I also have to give a shout out to AMC’s original series ‘Breaking Bad,’ which is a phenomenal show created by Vince Gilligan.  Critics love it!  Here is the synopsis from IMDB: “Informed he has terminal cancer, an underachieving chemistry genius turned high school chemistry teacher turns to using his expertise in chemistry to provide a legacy for his family… by producing the world’s highest quality crystal meth.”  Great story.  Great casting.  Great acting.  If you haven’t already, definitely check it out.  You will not be disappointed!

Anyway, here is the flash.  You will be redirected to University of Utah’s website.

Drugs and your brain