AP Psych Drugs

Psychoactive Drugs

A chemical substance that alters moods and perceptions

Tolerance

Diminishing effect with regular use of same drug, requiring the user to take more to get the same effect

Withdrawal

Discomfort and distress that follow stopping the use of an addictive drug

Psychological Dependence

A need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions

Physical Dependence

A need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued

Addiction

Compulsive drug craving and use, despite harsh consequences

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Barbiturates/Tranquilizers

Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reduce anxiety, and impair memory and judgement

Opiates

Depress neural activity, lessoning pain and anxiety. Pain killers, heroin and morphine, brain stops producing endorphins

Stimulant

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, ecstasy

Methamphetamine

Powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, reduces dopamine levels

Amphetamine

Drugs that stimulate neural activity causing mood changes and sped up body functions

MDMA

Stimulant and hallucinogen that produces euphoria and social intimacy but with long harm to serotonin and health risks

LSD

Hallucinogenic drug, acid

THC

Marijuana ingredient that triggers the effects with mild hallucinogens

Alcohol

Depressant with initial high and relaxation, causes depression and memory loss or organ damage

Heroin

Depressant with relief of pain, causes depression and withdrawal

Caffeine

Stimulant with alert and awake, causes anxiety and insomnia

Cocaine

Stimulant with euphoria and energy, causes heart stress and depressive crash

Nicotine

Stimulant with arousal and relaxation, causes heart disease and cancer

Ecstasy

Stimulant with emotional elevation, causes dehydration, depressed, impaired cognitive functions

Marijuana

Hallucinogen, causes enhanced senstaion relief of pain with impaired memory or learning, lung damage