Final answer:
Cocaine impacts dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, leading to a temporary 'high' followed by a rapid decrease in pleasure and an increased craving for more of the drug. Its effects on dopamine contribute to its addictive nature, while its mechanism of action is similar to that of amphetamines, which also affect these neurotransmitters.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although cocaine affects the activity levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, it is primarily known for its impact on dopamine. Cocaine acts as a stimulant by preventing the reuptake of dopamine by nerve cells at the synapse, which leads to high levels of these neurotransmitters and stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain. This increase in dopamine and norepinephrine activity is associated with the drug's euphoric "high" and its highly addictive properties.
However, after a cocaine binge, dopamine levels are depleted quickly, often in less than an hour, leaving the user in a state devoid of pleasure and frequently leading them to crave more cocaine. Amphetamines have a similar mechanism of action, but they are sometimes used therapeutically for conditions like ADHD due to their effects on neurotransmitter activity within brain areas linked to impulse control.