Effects of recreational drugs

What are drugs?

Biochemicals that have an effect on the functioning of body systems

• Recreational = taken for pleasure

What do stimulants do?

They stimulate the central nervous system (CNS), promoting alertness, attention, and elevated mood

How do stimulants work?

They increase the amount of neurotransmitters (e.g dopamine, norepinephrine) in the synaptic cleft by blocking reuptake → prolonged effects of these neurotransmitters on post-synaptic neuron

Examples of stimulants

Cocaine and amphetamines

What can prolonged use of stimulants lead to?

Neurotransmitter depletion, causing ongoing psychological effects, such as depression and anxiety

What do depressants do?

They decrease neurotransmitter activity, producing a calming effect and reducing anxiety and tension

How do depressants work?

They increase the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA and decrease the activity of the neurotransmitter glutamate

Examples of depressants

Alcohol and benzodiazepines

What can prolonged use of depressants lead to?

• Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not consumed

• Chronic alcohol usage may lead to deficits in cognitive and motor functions, including difficulty with memory and motor coordination

What do hallucinogenic drugs do?

• They can have profound effects on perceptions and can produce hallucinations, or sensorial experiences that are not real.

• Changes in thought, mood, and sensory perception

How do hallucinogenic drugs work?

They act primarily on serotonin receptors in the brain- stimulate the release of serotonin

Examples of hallucinogenic drugs

LSD, psilocybin (shrooms), PCP, ecstasy

What can prolonged use of hallucinogenic drugs lead to?

Tolerance to these drugs grows rapidly, requiring users to take larger quantities to achieve the same effect, and withdrawal effects can include depression and anxiety

How does cocaine work?

Blocks re-uptake of dopamine- binds with dopamine transporter molecules on terminal buttons of the presynaptic neuron. Prevents excess dopamine being taken back into the neuron and recycled so synapse is flooded with dopamine

What are the effects of cocaine?

Dopamine receptors become ‘downregulated’ - less active receptors which means more dopamine is needed to get the same effect (‘high’)

How does PCP (angel dust) work?

PCP affects multiple neurotransmitter systems in the brain:

• Inhibits the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin

• Inhibits the action of glutamate by blocking NMDA receptors

• Inhibits the reuptake of dopamine

What are the effects of PCP (angel dust)?

Causes changes in body image, feelings of terror and confusion

What kind of drug is PCP?

Hallucinogen

What kind of drug is cocaine?

Stimulant

How does heroin work?

It mimics natural opiates and binds opiate receptors, turning off dopamine inhibition → dopamine is allowed to flood the synapse producing immediate feelings of sedation and well-being

What are the effects of heroin?

Cardiovascular damage, tolerance, hormonal and sexual dysfunction

What kind of drug is heroin?

Depressant

How does MDMA (ecstasy) work?

Stimulates the release of serotonin and blocks its reuptake → rapid depletion

What are the effects of MDMA (ecstasy)?

Anxiety, paranoia, depression, brain damage → which can lead to memory loss/ poor memory