Psychotropic Drugs Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the key concepts of psychotropic drugs, their categories, effects, and related problems.

Psychotropic Drugs

Substances that operate on the nervous system to alter mental activity and conscious experience.

Stimulants

A category of psychotropic drugs that includes amphetamines, caffeine, and ecstasy, which increase alertness and energy levels.

Depressants

A category of psychotropic drugs that includes alcohol, tranquilizers, and opiates, which decrease mental activity and can induce relaxation.

Hallucinogens

A category of psychotropic drugs that includes LSD, mushrooms, and marijuana, which alter perception and produce hallucinations.

Opioid prescriptions

The trend of opioid prescriptions in the US, which has been declining since 2012.

Major problems with psychotropic drugs

Addiction to prescription painkillers and the increasing potency of synthetic drugs.

Reasons for drug-related problems

Physician ignorance, aggressive marketing by manufacturers, cultural taboos, and attraction to quick fixes.

Effects of drugs on people

Drugs can alter mood, energy levels, and produce hallucinations.