Key Concepts in Hypnosis and Psychoactive Drugs

Hypnosis

Systematic procedure that produces a heightened sense of susceptibility.

Factor NOT involved in hypnosis

Increased heart rate.

Hilgard's view on hypnosis

Altered levels of consciousness and dissociation.

Spanos' argument about hypnotized subjects

Interpret their behavior as goal-directed social behavior.

Psychoactive drug

A substance that affects perception, mood, thinking, memory, or behavior by changing body chemistry.

Drug tolerance

The need for larger doses of a drug over time to achieve the same effect.

Example of physical dependence

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as pain and convulsions.

Psychological dependence on a drug

Emotional cravings triggered by internal or environmental cues.

Category of drugs that speeds up CNS activity

Stimulants.

Drug category that mimics endorphins

Opiates/Narcotics.

Category of drugs that slows down CNS activity

Depressants/Sedatives.

Example of a hallucinogen/psychedelic

LSD.

Properties of THC in marijuana

Hallucinogens, stimulants, and depressants.

NOT a short-term effect of marijuana

Decreased heart rate.

Possible long-term effect of marijuana use

Interference with brain development in adolescents.

NOT a short-term effect of cocaine use

Increased appetite.

Long-term effect of cocaine use

Loss of sense of smell from snorting.

NOT a known withdrawal symptom of LSD

Severe physical dependence.

Neurotransmitter primarily affected by alcohol

GABA.

Expectancy theory of alcohol

People's expectations influence how alcohol affects them.

NOT a long-term risk of alcohol use

Enhanced cognitive function.

Short-term effect of oxycontin

Extreme drowsiness and slow breathing.

Why opioids like oxycontin are highly addictive

They artificially flood endorphin receptors and reduce endorphin production.

NOT a reported medical benefit of marijuana

Curing schizophrenia.

Reason FDA rejected MDMA for psychotherapy in 2024

Insufficient evidence and the need for more research.

Ethical challenge in research on psychoactive drugs

Balancing risk-benefit and their classification as Schedule 1 drugs.