AP Psych Unit 1: Agonists and Antagonists, The Endocrine System, and Imaging

Agonist

increase the effectiveness of neurotransmission by mimicking effects or blocking reputake

Antagonist

drugs decrease the effectiveness of neurotransmission by blocking the receptor site

Psychoactive drugs

chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perceptions and mood

Depressants

decrease central nervous system neural activity, enhancing sleepiness/relaxation

Stimulants

increase central nervous system neural activity, enhancing alertness/energy

Hallucinogens

warp perception of reality and mess with your emotions

Opioids

relieve pain and create feelings of euphoria

Tolerance

the more of the drug you take, the more you need in order to reach the same “high”

Withdrawl

you cannot function properly without the drug

Hormones

chemical messengers produced by the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream and influence the activity of other tissues and organs

Adrenaline

a hormone released by the adrenal glands during stress or excitement that increases heart rate, blood flow, and energy, preparing the body for a “fight or flight” response 

Leptin

a hormone that regulates hunger and metabolism by signaling the brain when the body has enough energy stored

Ghrelin

a hunger hormone that stimulates appetite and promotes food intake

Melatonin

a hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles

Oxytocin

a hormone linked to physical bonding, contact, childbirth, and milk production

Neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to adapt and change in response to experience, learning, or injury

EEG

a test that records electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp, often used to study sleep, seizures, and brain waves

fMRI

a brain imaging technique that measures changes in blood flow to show brain activity in real time, helping identify which brain areas are active during tasks

Lesioning

using brain scans to detect and study natural lesions or damage caused by injury or disease