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Similar to heroin, oxycodone produces â along with pain management â a euphoric high caused by stimulation of the reward center of the brain. Oxycodone elevates levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is considered the pleasure chemical of the brain. On the street, OxyContin is known as âOxy,â âOC,â âOxyCotton,â âHillbilly Heroin,â and âKickers,â and is often used if heroin or morphine is not available.
Excitatory and inhibitory effects. The direct effect of a neurotransmitter is to activate a receptor. A neurotransmitter can cause the receptor to experience excitatory effects, which increases the probability that the neuron will fire an action potential. This is referred to as an agonist.