Final answer:
The nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area (VTA), connected by the mesolimbic pathway, are involved in cocaine's reward effects through increased dopamine levels in the brain. Cocaine's euphoric effects are due to the prevention of dopamine reuptake, with subsequent depletion leading to pleasureless states and a desire for more drugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The area of the brain associated with the reward effects of cocaine is the mesolimbic pathway, which includes the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). These regions are rich in dopaminergic neurons that release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the reward system. Cocaine acts as a stimulant by preventing the reuptake of dopamine by nerve cells, leading to increased levels of dopamine in the synapse and stimulating the pleasure centers of the brain. This enhancement of dopamine action is responsible for the drug's euphoric effects and its addictive properties. Following a binge of cocaine, dopamine is quickly depleted, leaving the user in a state lacking pleasure and often craving more of the substance.These reward pathways are not exclusive to cocaine and are similarly involved in other forms of addiction and in activities that produce feelings of reward, such as gambling and even some normal behaviors. The impact of cocaine on the brain's reward system can result in structural plasticity in the frontal cortex, leading to behavioral changes and the reinforcement of drug-seeking behaviors.