altering consciousness with drugs - psychology chapter 6

psychoactive drugs

• substances that produce qualitative changes in conscious experience

  • tolerance: the need to consume increasing amounts to get the desired effect

  • withdrawal symptoms: adverse effects people with physical dependence experience if they stop using

  • hallucinations: convincing sensory experiences in the absence of an external stimulus

  • addiction: a condition of habitual use of physical and psychological dependence on a substance

tolerance

the need to consume increasing amounts to get the desired effect

withdrawal symptoms

adverse effects people with physical dependence experience if they stop using

hallucinations

convincing sensory experiences in the absence of an external stimulus

addiction

a condition of habitual use of physical and psychological dependence on a substance

depressants

• substances that decrease or slow down central nervous system activity

• alcohol is the most widely used

  • consumption suppresses the higher social regulatory functions of the cerebral cortex, lowering inhibitions

  • heavy drinking over a prolonged period leads to loss of brain tissue

  • binge drinking - many drinks in a short period of time - is becoming increasingly common

binge drinking

many drinks in a short period of time - is becoming increasingly common

cerebellum

part of the brain that controls movement and coordination

hippocampus

part of the brain that controls learning and memory

hypothalamus

part of the brain that controls hunger, thirst, sexual motivation

frontal lobe

part of the brain that controls planning, abstract thinking, reasoning

stimulants

• substances that activate the nervous system

  • many are illegal

  • two of the most widely used are the legal stimulants caffeine and nicotine

  • nicotine is extrememly addictive and is associated with many known health risks

  • illegal stimulants include cocaine, amphetamines, and MDMA

hallucinogens

• substances that create distorted perceptions of reality, from mild to extreme

• marijuana comes from the blossoms and leaves of the cannabis sativa plant and alters the brain and body when people eat or smoke it

  • alters mood to create euphoria and changes perception, especially of time and food

  • endocannabinoids: natural, marijuana-like substances produced by the body

cannabis sativa plant

• when marijuana comes from

• alters the brain and body when people eat or smoke it

  • alters mood to create euphoria and changes perception, especially of time and food

endocannabinoids

natural, marijuana-like substances produced by the body