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Term: Psychoactive Drugs

Brief definition: Chemicals that change our state of consciousness by influencing neurotransmitters in the Central Nervous System.

Term: Tolerance and Withdrawal

Brief definition: Tolerance is when increased amounts of a drug are needed to achieve the same effect

Term: Drug Dependence

Brief definition: A condition resulting from tolerance and withdrawal, where the individual feels unable to function normally without the drug.

Term: Stimulants

Brief definition: Drugs like caffeine, nicotine, and cocaine that increase neural activity by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Term: Depressants

Brief definition: Drugs such as alcohol and benzodiazepines that decrease consciousness by increasing GABA and decreasing acetylcholine activity.

Term: Opioids

Brief definition: Drugs like heroin and oxycodone that produce euphoria and pain relief by activating neurons with opiate receptors.

Term: Psychedelics

Brief definition: Substances like LSD and psilocybin that alter consciousness by mimicking serotonin and epinephrine.

Term: Cannabinoids

Brief definition: Drugs like cannabis that exert effects primarily through the chemicals THC and CBD.

Term: Dissociatives

Brief definition: Drugs like PCP and ketamine that block the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, causing detachment from reality.

Term: Empathogens

Brief definition: Drugs like MDMA that mimic and block reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, enhancing emotional connectedness.

Term: Social Norms and Drug Use

Brief definition: Drug use can be influenced by cultural expectations and individual risk-taking tendencies.

Term: Hypnosis

Brief definition: A state of consciousness marked by focused attention, reduced awareness, and increased responsiveness to suggestion.

Term: Hypnosis Uses

Brief definition: Used to alleviate anxiety, reduce pain, and modify unwanted behaviors or habits.

Term: Meditation

Brief definition: A range of mental practices designed to promote relaxation and a sense of well-being.

Term: Flow

Brief definition: A state of complete absorption in an activity, where time seems to disappear and focus is intense.

Term: Consciousness

Brief definition: Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment that helps us plan and monitor behavior.

Term: Neural Basis of Consciousness

Brief definition: Consciousness is believed to result from patterns of neural activity in the brain.

Term: Biological Rhythms

Brief definition: Natural cycles that affect behavior and physiology, including circadian, monthly, and annual patterns.

Term: Sleep Stages

Brief definition: Sleep includes REM and non-REM stages, with non-REM broken into stages N1, N2, and N3, each with specific brainwave patterns.

Term: Importance of Sleep

Brief definition: Sleep is vital for daytime functioning

Term: Dreams

Brief definition: Dreams, primarily occurring during REM sleep, may be explained by theories involving wish fulfillment, memory consolidation, or neural activity.

Term: Prenatal Development

Brief definition: Development progresses from a single cell to zygote, embryo, and fetus over nine months.

Term: Fetal Support Systems

Brief definition: The umbilical cord and placenta connect the fetus to the mother, allowing for exchange of nourishment and waste

Term: Teratogens

Brief definition: Harmful substances that can negatively affect embryonic or fetal development.

Term: Environmental Effects on Prenatal Development

Brief definition: Environmental factors play a significant role in shaping healthy prenatal development.

Term: Epigenetics

Brief definition: Life experiences can influence whether specific genes are expressed (turned on or off)