Drug Vocab 9th Grade Health Class

Study the Vocab words for the Drug Vocab test for the 9th grade test given by W. Wallace.

Amphetamine (speed)

A powerful central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite.

Amyl Nitrite

Legal prescription drug used to lower blood pressure, often abused. 

Barbiturate

A sedative that depresses the activity of the central nervous system, reduces anxiety, and induces sleep. 

Butyl Nitrite

Illegal inhalant with effects similar to amyl nitrite.

Caffeine

A bitter alkaloid found in coffee, soft drinks, and cocoa that is responsible for their stimulating effects.

Chief Effect

Physical or mental change for which a drug is taken

Cocaine

Extracted from coca leaves; used as a surface anesthetic or taken for pleasure: can become powerfully addictive.

Depressant

A drug that reduces excitability and calms a person, slowing down the body’s mental and physical abilities. 

Drug

An organic or synthetic substance that causes changes in the body and mind.

Drug abuse

The improper or excessive use of a drug for any purpose other than medical.

Drug maintenance program

The method of treatment where narcotic (heorin) addicts receive a legal drug in place of illegal ones.

euphoria

A feeling of great happiness and well-being.

Hallucinogen

A psychoactive drug that induces hallucinations or sensory experiences that do not exist.

Hashish

Purified resinous extract of the hemp plant.

Heroin

A narcotic that is considered a hard drug; a highly addictive morphine derivative; intravenous injection provides the fastest and most intense rush. Most widely abused narcotic in the U.S.

Illegal Drug

An organic or synthetic substance forbidden by law because its harmful effects outweigh any useful purpose. 

Inh

Legal Drug

An organic or synthetic substance considered useful to be sold for the treatment of a medical/health condition.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

A powerful odorless hallucinogen

Marijuana

A commonly used illegal drug made from dried leaves of the hemp plant.

Mescaline

a hallucinogen found in peyote (cactus)

Methadone

 A synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine but less habit-forming; used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addiction.

Methaqualone

A sedative-hypnotic drug (Quaalude) that is a drug of abuse. Effects similar to barbiturates (depressant)

Morphine

an alkaloid narcotic drug extracted from opium: a powerful, habit-forming narcotic used to relieve pain.

Narcotic

An opium-derived drug that produces numbness and sleepiness; often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

An inhalation anesthetic used as an anesthetic in dentistry and surgery. 

Opium

an addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy. Usually mixed with tobacco and smoked when used illegally.

Outpatient Recovery Program

allows drug abusers to live at home and visit the hospital for drug-related treatment.

Overdose

excessive dose of a drug, often causing shock, coma, or death.

Over-the-counter drug

may be purchased without a prescription from a doctor.

PCP

A drug used as an anesthetic by veterinarians; illicitly taken (originally in the form of powder or ‘dust’) for its effects as a hallucinogen.

Peyote

a small spineless globe-shaped cactus that grows in Southwestern Mexico; it has hallucinogenic effects.

Prescription drugs

may be legally purchased only with a doctor's written prescription.

Psilocin

A psychoactive/hallucinogenic compound obtained from a mushroom

Psilocybin

A psychoactive/hallucinogenic compound obtained from a mushroom

Psychoactive drug

a drug that can produce mood changes and distorted perceptions.

Side effect

a secondary and usually adverse effect of a drug or therapy. 

Steroid

synthetic compound that has important physiological effects.

Stimulant

a drug that temporarily quickens some vital bodily processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing.

Synthetic Drug

A drug created in a laboratory by combining different chemicals.

Therapeutic community

a highly structured, drug-free residential program.

Tolerance

a bodily resistance to the effects of a drug.

Tranquilizer

A drug used to reduce stress or tension without reducing mental clarity.