Activity Overview
Students should learn to recognize the impact of the low dopamine levels in the brain following a high from a drug. This low is a primary cause for repetitive drug use. In order to make this concept as impactful as possible, it’s important to talk about how the brain’s reward system works and how drugs modify it.
In this activity, students will compare the dopamine effect in a "natural high", like exercising, socializing, etc. with the dopamine effect of a drug. While the provided example in this activity can be used as an educational diagram for students, it's helpful for them to create their own first! Students will create a chart to compare the dopamine effect, complete with a visual to help them remember.
This activity can be modified for students to fill in after a class discussion or for those who need additional scaffolding. Leaving the ‘high’ and ‘low’ cells blank for students to fill in will help create a connection with content. Or, remove the line on the graph and un-highlight the brain. What the teacher chooses to add or remove will vary based on what they want their students to remember and practice.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting the differences in dopamine levels of natural and drug highs.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the rows with Drug and Natural.
- Label the columns with High, High's Impact, Low, and Low's Impact.
- In the ‘High’ cells, create an example of a natural high and a drug influenced high.
- Fill in the bar line graph show accurate levels of dopamine for both natural high and drug abuse while highlighting the part of the brain affected.
- In the ‘Low’ cells create an example a natural low and a drug influenced low.
- Fill in the bar line graph show accurate levels of dopamine for both natural and drug abuse. Highlight the part of the brain affected.
- In the descriptions, explain what is happening in each cell
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | The cell used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey someone experiencing a natural high and a drug fueled high. The description effectively describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The cell used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey someone experiencing a natural high and a drug fueled high. The description describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text . The description fails to describe what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. |
| High Impact | The student was able to show the accurate levels of dopamine released in the brain for a natural high and a drug fueled high. The proper section of the brain has been highlighted. The description effectively describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The student was able to show the accurate levels of dopamine released in the brain for a natural high and a drug fueled high. The description describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The student created inaccurate levels of dopamine for natural high and a drug fueled high. The description fails to describe what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. |
| Low | The cell used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey someone experiencing a natural low and low from the absence of drugs. The description effectively describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The cell used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey someone experiencing a natural low and low from the absence of drugs. The description describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text . The description fails to describe what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. |
| Low Impact | The student was able to show the accurate drop of dopamine in the brain for a natural low and a low experienced with the lack of a drug. The proper section of the brain has been highlighted. The description effectively describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The student was able to show the accurate drop of dopamine in the brain for a natural low and a low experienced with the lack of a drug. The description describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The student created inaccurate levels of dopamine for natural low and a low experienced with the lack of a drug. The description fails to describe what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. |
| Grammar | There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. | There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of content is clear. | There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes, creating an unclear understanding of content. |
Activity Overview
Students should learn to recognize the impact of the low dopamine levels in the brain following a high from a drug. This low is a primary cause for repetitive drug use. In order to make this concept as impactful as possible, it’s important to talk about how the brain’s reward system works and how drugs modify it.
In this activity, students will compare the dopamine effect in a "natural high", like exercising, socializing, etc. with the dopamine effect of a drug. While the provided example in this activity can be used as an educational diagram for students, it's helpful for them to create their own first! Students will create a chart to compare the dopamine effect, complete with a visual to help them remember.
This activity can be modified for students to fill in after a class discussion or for those who need additional scaffolding. Leaving the ‘high’ and ‘low’ cells blank for students to fill in will help create a connection with content. Or, remove the line on the graph and un-highlight the brain. What the teacher chooses to add or remove will vary based on what they want their students to remember and practice.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting the differences in dopamine levels of natural and drug highs.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the rows with Drug and Natural.
- Label the columns with High, High's Impact, Low, and Low's Impact.
- In the ‘High’ cells, create an example of a natural high and a drug influenced high.
- Fill in the bar line graph show accurate levels of dopamine for both natural high and drug abuse while highlighting the part of the brain affected.
- In the ‘Low’ cells create an example a natural low and a drug influenced low.
- Fill in the bar line graph show accurate levels of dopamine for both natural and drug abuse. Highlight the part of the brain affected.
- In the descriptions, explain what is happening in each cell
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | The cell used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey someone experiencing a natural high and a drug fueled high. The description effectively describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The cell used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey someone experiencing a natural high and a drug fueled high. The description describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text . The description fails to describe what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. |
| High Impact | The student was able to show the accurate levels of dopamine released in the brain for a natural high and a drug fueled high. The proper section of the brain has been highlighted. The description effectively describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The student was able to show the accurate levels of dopamine released in the brain for a natural high and a drug fueled high. The description describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The student created inaccurate levels of dopamine for natural high and a drug fueled high. The description fails to describe what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. |
| Low | The cell used exemplary school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey someone experiencing a natural low and low from the absence of drugs. The description effectively describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The cell used adequate school-appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey someone experiencing a natural low and low from the absence of drugs. The description describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text . The description fails to describe what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. |
| Low Impact | The student was able to show the accurate drop of dopamine in the brain for a natural low and a low experienced with the lack of a drug. The proper section of the brain has been highlighted. The description effectively describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The student was able to show the accurate drop of dopamine in the brain for a natural low and a low experienced with the lack of a drug. The description describes what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. | The student created inaccurate levels of dopamine for natural low and a low experienced with the lack of a drug. The description fails to describe what is happening in the cell in relation with dopamine. |
| Grammar | There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. | There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of content is clear. | There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes, creating an unclear understanding of content. |
How Tos about Addiction: Dopamine Drop
Engage students with a classroom discussion on healthy alternatives to drug-induced dopamine highs
Start by having an open conversation with your class about activities that naturally boost dopamine, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with friends. This helps students connect the lesson to their own lives and see practical options for feeling good without substance use.
Guide students to brainstorm and list natural dopamine boosters
Encourage students to work in pairs or small groups to create a list of activities that make them feel happy or accomplished. This fosters collaboration and personal reflection, reinforcing the concept of healthy dopamine sources.
Facilitate the creation of a personal action plan
Ask each student to choose one or two natural activities from their list and write a simple plan for how they can incorporate these into their weekly routine. This step makes the lesson actionable and supports positive behavior change.
Encourage students to share their plans and support each other
Invite students to share their chosen activities and plans with the class or in small groups. Peer sharing builds a supportive classroom culture and inspires others with new ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions about Addiction: Dopamine Drop
What is the dopamine drop after drug use and why does it matter?
The dopamine drop refers to the sharp decrease in dopamine levels in the brain that follows a drug-induced high. This drop is important because it can trigger cravings and lead to repetitive drug use as the brain seeks to restore those lost feelings of pleasure.
How can I teach students about the difference between natural and drug-induced dopamine highs?
Use a chart or storyboard activity where students compare dopamine levels during natural highs (like exercising or socializing) and drug-induced highs. Visuals and class discussion help students understand how drugs disrupt the brain's reward system compared to healthy behaviors.
What are some examples of 'natural highs' versus drug highs for students?
Natural highs include activities like exercising, listening to music, or spending time with friends, which produce moderate, healthy dopamine increases. Drug highs cause unnaturally large dopamine spikes, often followed by dramatic lows or crashes, increasing the risk of addiction.
Why do students need to learn about dopamine drops in addiction lessons?
Understanding dopamine drops helps students see why people may repeatedly use drugs despite negative consequences. It highlights the biological basis of addiction and encourages informed, healthy choices.
What is an effective classroom activity to illustrate dopamine changes from drugs versus natural rewards?
Have students create a comparison chart showing dopamine levels for both natural and drug-induced experiences. Let them fill in examples and graph dopamine changes to visually reinforce the impact of substance use on the brain.
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