CNS Depressants and Stimulants Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards related to CNS depressants, stimulants, and their effects.

CNS depressants

Drugs that slow brain activity and bodily functions.

Sedative effect

Reduces anxiety and calms the user.

Hypnotic effect

Induces sleep.

Anesthetic effect

Causes unconsciousness.

Synergistic effect

Combined drugs amplify effects and increase overdose risk.

Bromides

Early sedatives no longer used due to toxicity.

Barbiturates

Strong CNS depressants with low safety margin and high overdose risk.

Barbiturates medical use

Used for sleep disorders and anesthesia.

Barbiturates concern

High addiction potential and deadly withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants used for anxiety and sleep with a higher safety margin.

Benzodiazepines examples

Xanax and Valium.

Benzodiazepines concern

Dependence and misuse.

Tolerance

Needing more of a drug to achieve the same effect.

Dependence

Body adapts to the drug and requires it to function.

Withdrawal

Negative symptoms experienced when stopping drug use.

Alcohol

Legal psychoactive CNS depressant.

Proof

Alcohol content measurement equal to double the percent alcohol.

Alcohol metabolism

Liver breaks down alcohol at about one drink per hour.

Alcohol enzyme

Alcohol dehydrogenase.

BAC

Blood alcohol concentration measuring alcohol in the bloodstream.

Factors affecting BAC

Body weight, sex, food intake, rate of drinking.

Short term alcohol effects

Impaired judgment, coordination loss, and vomiting.

Long term alcohol effects

Liver damage, brain damage, and malnutrition.

Binge drinking

Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short time.

Heavy drinking

Frequent excessive drinking.

Alcohol use disorder

Dependence and inability to control drinking.

Wet culture

Drinking is normalized with less bingeing.

Dry culture

Drinking is restricted leading to more bingeing.

Alcohol and crime pharmacological explanation

Alcohol chemically causes behavior.

Narcotic

Drug used for pain relief that depresses the CNS.

Opiate

Natural narcotic like morphine or heroin.

Opioid

Synthetic or semi-synthetic narcotic like oxycodone or fentanyl.

Opioid agonist

Activates opioid receptors producing effects.

Opioid antagonist

Blocks opioid receptors reversing effects.

Speedball

Mixing heroin and cocaine for intense high.

Dangerous drug combinations

Opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines.

Opioid tolerance

Rapid need for higher doses.

Opioid withdrawal

Severe symptoms including pain and sickness.

Diversion

Selling or distributing prescription drugs illegally.

Polydrug use

Using multiple drugs at once.

Heroin

Highly potent opiate derived from morphine.

Why heroin is common

Cheap, accessible, and strong.

Prescription to heroin pipeline

Users switch from pills to heroin.

Methadone

Medication used to treat opioid addiction.

Suboxone

Medication that reduces opioid cravings.

Harm reduction

Strategies to reduce drug harm like needle exchange.

CNS stimulants

Drugs that increase brain activity and energy.

Psychotomimetic drugs

Cause hallucinations and altered perception.

Psychomotor stimulants

Increase energy, alertness, and activity.

Caffeine

Mild stimulant that blocks adenosine and increases alertness.

Nicotine

Highly addictive stimulant that releases dopamine.

Nicotine effects

Increased alertness and relaxation.

Amphetamines

Strong stimulants used for ADHD and energy.

Amphetamines effects

Increased focus, energy, and alertness.

Amphetamines misuse

Used by students and athletes for performance.

Methamphetamine

More potent form of amphetamine.

Meth effects

Extreme energy, paranoia, aggression.

Meth popularity

Cheap, easy to make, long-lasting high.

Meth slang

Ice, crystal meth.

Cocaine

Powerful stimulant causing euphoria and energy.

Cocaine forms

Powder cocaine and crack cocaine.

Crack cocaine

Smokable form with faster, more intense high.

Cocaine vs crack

Crack acts faster and is more addictive.

Cocaine addiction

Short high leads to repeated use.

Cocaine effects

Increased energy, confidence, and alertness.