Unit 3 - Psychoactive Drugs

psychoactive drugs

chemical substances that affect brain processes and result in altered states of consciousness, mood, and perception.

they cross the blood-brain barrier + interact w/ neurotransmitters at the receptor sites of neurons

made of delivery matters

tolerance

repeated exposure to psychoactive drugs produces it

with repeated exposure to the drug → the drug’s effects lessen

• it takes increasingly larger doses to feel the desired effect

False

T/F: tolerance does not increase the risk of becoming addicted and developing substance use disorder

blood-brain barrier

selective semi-permeable membrane that acts as a filter

protects the brain from infection by filtering out toxins, pathogens, etc

psychoactive drugs are able to cross this

withdrawal

the discomfort + distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

worsens addiction b/c users want to resume taking the drugs to end these symptoms

withdrawal PHYSICAL

fatigue, headaches, tremors, sweating, nausea/vomiting

withdrawal PSYCHOLOGICAL

depression, anxiety, agitation, + anhedonia

anhedonia

reduced motivation or ability to experience pleasure

dependence

a chronic, progressive disease characterized by significant impairment that is directly associated w/ persistent and excessive use of psychoactive substances

dependence symptoms

tolerance, withdrawal, using more than intended, persistent + failed attempts to regulate use, much time spect preoccupied w/ substance (obtaining it and recovering)

important activities reduced b/c of use, continued used despite oversize consequences

dependence PHYSICAL

physical condition caused by chronic use of a tolerance-forming drug, in which abrupt/gradual drug withdrawal causes unpleasant physical symptoms

dependence PSYCHOLOGICAL

a state that involves emotional-motivational withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of drug use

depressants

“downers”

drugs that reduce neural activity + slows body functions

3 kinds of depressants

alcohol, barbiturates, opiates

depressant effects

alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates fall high on chart of perceived harm of drug depressants

alcohol

generally takes abt 1 hr. to metabolize

prolonged + excessive drinking can shrink the brain and cause damage

low doses of alcohol

releases the drinker by slowing down the sympathetic nervous system

• lowering inhibitions and judgements

high doses of alcohol

slows reaction time, causes slurring of speech, and skilled performance deteriorates

how does alcohol affect memory?

disrupts the processing of recent events into long-term memory

barbiturates

drug used to help sleep, relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and prevent seizures.

True

T/F: barbiturates mimic the effects of alcohol + can be lethal when mixed with alcohol

how do barbiturates mimic alcohol

tranquilizers

drugs that depress CNS activity

• induce sleep, reduce anxiety

causes impaired memory, judgement, + concentration

EX) nembutal, seconal, amytal

opiates (narcotics)

naturally occurring — derived from opium poppy plant

medically prescribed pain relief narcotics (codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and methadone

function of opiates

depress neural activity, temporarily lessen pain + reduce anxiety

high doses produce a feeling of euphoria, constricted pupils, and lethargy

long term effects of opiates

the brain eventually stops producing endorphins

withdrawal of opiates

extreme symptoms and high risk of overdose

True

T/F: all opiates are opioids, but not all opioids are opiates

heroin

subclass of opiates

stimulants

“uppers”

drugs that excite/intensify neural activity and speed-up bodily functions

effects of stimulants

dilated pupils, incr. breathing + heart rate, incr. blood sugar, decr. appetite, incr. energy, incr. self-confidence

types of stimulants

caffeine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy

caffeine

• increased energy level + feelings of alertness (agonist for adenosine - a NT)

• effects of mild dose → lasting 3-4hrs, can interfere w/ sleep

• high doses can produce anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, + accelerated heart rate

withdrawal symptoms of caffeine

headaches, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depression

amphetamines

“speed” or “uppers”

stimulates neural activity causing: rise in energy levels, increased ability to concentrate, elevated mood, + feelings of anxiety + irritability

suppresses appetite + used to be prescribed as diet pills

methamphetamines

crystal meth

highly addictive

high for several hours followed by a crash

prolonged use reduces baseline dopamine levels, leaving users w/ permanently depressed functioning

after effects of methamphetamines

irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures, periods or disorientation, and occasional violent behav.

withdrawal effects of methamphetamines

fatigue, deep sleep, intense mental depression, increased appetite

cocaine

derived from the coca plant

found in powder + rock forms

• powdered form → cocaine/coke

• rock form → crack

how does cocaine enter the body

enters the bloodstream quickly, producing a high; depletes the brain’s supply of NTs (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine)

effects of cocaine

intense euphoria, mental alertness, and self-confidence

usually a crash within an hour → depression + cravings for more

reactions of cocaine

increased aggression, emotional disturbance, suspiciousness, convulsions, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failures

ecstasy

MDMA

stimulant and mild hallucinogen

• powdered form → Molly

• triggers release of dopamine; releases stored serotonin and blocks its reuptake

when ecstasy is inhaled or snorted…

users feel effects in abt 30 mins after taking

for 3-4 hrs, they experience high energy, emotional/elevation/euphoria

can also experience hallucinations

dangers of ecstasy

1. dehydration

2. long term use damages serotonin-producing neurons

3. other probs: suppresses immune system, impairs memory, slows thinking, + disrupts sleep

hallucinogens

also known as psychedelics

drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

effects of hallucinogens

hearing, seeing, + tasting = nonexistent features

types of hallucinogens

LSD, ecstasy, and marijuana

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

acid

one of the most powerful drugs — only takes one millionth of an ounce to produce effects

Effects of LSD

• lasts 6-14 hours — effects vary greatly

  • visual distortions + hallucinations

  • emotions = very intense + unstable + impaired thoughts

LSD “bad trips”

terrifying, and users are in a state of panic, feel as they will go mad and never come out

• some end in tragic accidents

LSD flashbacks

have sudden, w/o warning brief reoccurrences of trip weeks/months after use

marijuana

binds w/ the cannabinoid receptors in the brain

made by THC (contained by leaves and flowers)

effects of marijuana

amplifies sensations, disinhibits impulsions + inhibitions, distorts sense of time, euphoric mood, relieves anxiety, lack of ability to sense satiety

chronic use of marijuana is associated with…

loss of motivation + general apathy → brain shrinks in areas processing memory and emotion

causes respiratory damage faster than cigarette smoking

heavy abuse affects the reproductive system, esp in males

negative effects of marijuana

impairs attention/motor coordination

slows reaction time

interferes w/ concentration, logical thinking, ability to form new memories, and ability to hold in mind what is said