Unit 1.3 (Partial) Psychoactive Drugs (Bio Basis of Behavior)

addiction

A state of psychological or physical dependence (or both) on the use of alcohol or other drugs.

alcohol

A depressant that disrupts memory formation during REM sleep and lowers inhibition.

caffeine

A stimulant which can increase alertness and wakefulness but also produce anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia in high doses.

cocaine

A powerful and addictive stimulant which produces temporarily increased alertness and euphoria. Blocks dopamine reuptake.

depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

hallucinogens

Psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

heroin

As a nervous system depressant, this opiod can produce a rush of euphoria, confidence, and energy, as well as cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, and a depressive crash.

marijuana

A mild hallucinogen that produces a "high" often characterized by feelings of euphoria, a sense of well-being, and swings in mood from gaiety to relaxation; may also cause feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

opioids

Opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

psychoactive drugs

Any drug that has significant effects on psychological processes, such as thinking, perception, and emotion. They include those deliberately taken to produce an altered state of consciousness and therapeutic agents designed to alleviate a mental condition.

stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect.

withdrawal

The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior.

activation synthesis

Theory that dreams reflect inputs from brain activation originating in the pons, which the forebrain then attempts to weave into a story.