How do stimulants increase alertness, energy, and activity?
It increases dopamine receptors
List examples of stimulants
Amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, Adderal, Ritalin, and caffeine
Risks/physical effects of stimulants
Confusion, impaired attention, and impulses (high doses)
Blocks pre-synaptic neuron from reuptaking
Increases heart rates
Increases respiratory rates
Increases blood pressure
Increases temperature
Convulsion
Liver damage
Increased heart attack (MI)
How can stimulants be beneficial?
Increase energy, alertness, and activity as well as enhancing attention (given low doses)
How do hallucinogens work?
They induce sensory distortions (hallucinations) by acting at the serotonin synapse
Risks/physical effects of hallucinogens
Emotional changes
Dream like state/mystical experience
Increase risk for abuse
Anxiety
Increase heart rate
Increase blood pressure
Increase body temperature
Increase respiratory rate
Hallucinations
Seizures
Diarrhea
Intensive vomiting
Death
Skin peeling
Coma
How do depressants work?
Increases GABA transmission at inhibitory synapses
Risks/physical effects of depressants
Increase risk taking
Increase aggression
Poor decision
Suppression of fear
Decrease heart rate
Organ damage
Memory loss
Coma
Death
Vomit
Drowsiness
Clumsiness
Wernicke korsikorfs dementia
High risk pregnancy
Vomit
Benefits of depressants
Decrease anxiety and helps relax
What are 3 examples of narcotics
Morphine
Heroine
Codeine
How does narcotics work?
Binds to endorphin receptors in the brain to block pain
What's the difference between THC and CBD regarding marijuana?
CBD doesn't get you high and not a psychoactive while THC gets you high and is a psychoactive
Examples of when dopamine is stimulated naturally
Sex
Certain foods
Gambling
Music
Video games
Shopping
What do inhibitions do for us?
Allow people to make the right decisions in a situation because they know the consequence of that action. (ex. taking drugs or smoking)
How can drugs affect "normal" behavior?
They take away our inhibitions which prevents us from making logical and right decisions in certain situations.
Why are teenagers more susceptible to drugs?
The brain is not fully developed yet and drugs can affect the growth and development of the brain in the long run