Psychoactive Drugs

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to psychoactive drugs, their effects, and types.

Psychoactive Drug

A chemical substance that alters perceptions, moods, or behavior by affecting neurotransmission in the brain.

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 the use of an addictive drug.

Physical Dependence

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

Psychological Dependence

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

Addiction

Compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors (e.g., gambling) despite adverse consequences.

Depressants

Drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Alcohol

A common depressant that disinhibits, slows neural processing, disrupts memory, and reduces self-awareness.

Barbiturates

Drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment, such as tranquilizers.

Opiates (Narcotics)

Opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; highly addictive, these drugs depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety.

Stimulants

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Caffeine

A mild stimulant found in coffee, tea, and soda; increases alertness.

Nicotine

A stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco.

Amphetamines

Drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes.

Cocaine

A powerful and addictive stimulant that increases alertness and euphoria by blocking reuptake of neurotransmitters.

Methamphetamine

A powerfully addictive stimulant that accelerates body functions and may reduce baseline dopamine levels.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

A synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen that produces euphoria and social intimacy with health risks.

Hallucinogens

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

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

A powerful hallucinogenic drug also known as acid.

Marijuana (Cannabis)

A mild hallucinogen containing THC, which can relax and disinhibit users but may impair motor coordination and memory.

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

The major active ingredient in marijuana, triggering various effects, including mild hallucinations.