Unit 5: States of Consciousness

substance use disorder

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

psychoactive drug

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

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

addiction

compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors (such as gambling) despite known adverse consequences

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

examples of depressants

alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates

alcohol use disorder (or alcoholism)

alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use

barbiturates

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

opiates

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

stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

examples of stimulants

caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines

amphetamines

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

examples of amphetamines

cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine

nicotine

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

cocaine

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria

methamphetamine

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

ecstasy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen, produces euphoria and social intimacy but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition

hallucinogens

psychedelic (“mind-manifesting”) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input

examples of hallucinogens

LSD, MDMA, marijuana

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug, also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide)

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as by cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

THC

the major active ingredient in marijuana, triggers a variety of effects including mild hallucinations

neuroadaptation

when the user’s brain chemistry adapts to offset the drug’s affects