1.3b The Neuron and Neural Firing: Substance Use Disorders and Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive drugs

A chemical substance that alters the brain, causing changes in perceptions and moods

Substance use disorder

A disorder characterized by continued substance use despite significant life disruption

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Barbiturate drugs

Drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

Opioids

Opium and its derivatives; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

Hallucinogens

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

Near-death experience

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

Table of Psychoactive Drugs