Unit One: 1.4 - Influence of Drugs

Excitatory

something that makes a cell more likely to send a signal. It increases the activity of the cell, pushing it closer to action.

Inhibitory

something that makes a cell less likely to send a signal. It reduces the cell's activity, calming it down or stopping it from acting.

Acetylcholine

a chemical messenger in the body that helps nerve cells communicate. It plays a key role in muscle movement, learning, and memory.

Serotonin

a chemical in the brain that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. Called the "feel-good" chemical because it contributes to feelings of well-being + happiness.

Dopamine

a chemical in the brain that plays a key role in pleasure, motivation, and reward. It helps you feel good + is also involved in controlling movement.

Norepinephrine

a chemical that acts as both a hormone + a neurotransmitter. It helps control alertness, focus, and the body’s "fight or flight" response to stress by increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

Substance P

chemical in the body that helps transmit pain signals to the brain. 

GABA

a chemical in the brain that helps calm down nerve activity. It acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

Glutamate

Chemical in brain that helps nerve cells send messages to each other, important for learning and memory. Think of it like a mail man.

Reuptake

when a neuron sucks back in a neurotransmitter because it realizes that there's a lot more other messages

Think of it this way: 2 nerve cells are talking to eachother, but 1 nerve cell covers its mouth to stop sending the signal. 

Agonist

Any substance that activates a receptor in the body to produce a response, like pressing a “go” button

Antagonist

Any substance that blocks a receptor, preventing it from giving a response, like pressing a “stop” button

Psychoactive Drugs

Depressants

Substances that slow brain + body down due to reduced activity in nervous system

Stimulants

Substances that increase activity in the brain + body, making you feel more energetic

Hallucinogens

Substances that cause change in perception (ex. You see/hear/feel things that aren’t there)

Tolerance

When your body gets used to substance, so, you need more to get same effect

Addiction

When someone can’t stop using a substance b/c their body/mind depends on it

Withdrawal

Uncomfortable/painful instances that happen when someone stops using a substance that their body has gotten used to

Physical dependence

When your body needs a substance to function normally

Psychological dependence

when your mind craves a substance or activity to feel good, making it hard to stop