Module 1.3b: Psychoactive Drugs

Vocabulary flashcards covering psychoactive drugs, substance abuse disorder indicators, types of drugs (depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens), and their effects based on lecture notes from Module 1.3b.

Psychoactive drugs

Chemicals that change perceptions and moods by altering brain activity.

Substance abuse disorder

Continued substance use despite significant disruption to life, characterized by diminished control, diminished social functioning, hazardous use, and drug action (tolerance and withdrawal).

Tolerance

When increasing amounts of a drug are needed to produce the same effect.

Withdrawal

Discomfort and distress that follow stopping the use of an addictive drug, involving both psychological distress and physical pain.

Physical dependence

The body needs the drug to function normally; withdrawal symptoms occur without it.

Psychological dependence

The mind craves the drug, a strong desire or belief that you need it to feel a certain way.

Blood-brain barrier

A filtering system of blood vessels that protects the brain from harmful substances.

Synergistic effect

When combining drugs leads to a stronger effect than each alone, often because the liver cannot dilute them effectively.

Depressants

Drugs that slow down or depress the central nervous system, induce intoxication, and cause relaxation.

Alcohol

A depressant that initially causes a high, then slows down the central nervous system, leading to effects such as slurred speech, reduced self-awareness, disrupted memory, and reduced judgment, and in high doses, can cause respiratory failure.

Barbiturates

Tranquilizers that depress or slow down nervous system activity, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation; highly addictive and dangerous in high doses or when combined with other depressants due to potential respiratory failure.

Opioids

Drugs such as morphine and heroin that mimic endorphins, relieve pain, produce euphoria, and are highly addictive, changing brain chemistry and potentially causing death in high doses.

Anxiolytics

Also known as tranquilizers or anti-anxiety drugs, these reduce anxiety with a lower potential for addiction compared to other depressants and typically do not induce sleep.

Ketamine

A tranquilizer (type of anxiolytic) that can induce a state close to dying, resulting in a dopamine and endorphin rush.

Stimulants

Drugs that speed up the central nervous system, causing euphoria and increased energy.

Caffeine

A stimulant that excites the central nervous system, increases alertness, reduces adenosine, speeds up heart rate, constricts veins, and can cause insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and polyuria in excess.

Nicotine

A stimulant that causes arousal and relaxation, stimulates acetylcholine transmission, increases heart rate, releases dopamine, and decreases appetite; it is highly addictive.

Cocaine

A stimulant that blocks the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, creating intense euphoria followed by a significant crash.

Amphetamines/methamphetamine

Stimulants that increase energy and dopamine, cause euphoria, and increase libido, but can lead to adverse effects such as headaches, heart palpitations, diarrhea, delusions of grandeur, and skin problems, with withdrawal causing pain and schizophrenic behavior.

Ecstasy (MDMA/Molly)

A stimulant and hallucinogen that produces euphoria by releasing serotonin, damaging serotonin-producing neurons, disrupting sleep and mood, and causing dehydration, jaw cramps, impaired memory, cognitive issues, and heart problems.

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort judgment, sensation, and perception.

Near-death experience

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death, often exhibiting similarities to drug-induced hallucinations.

Peyote

A cactus that contains mescaline, a hallucinogen that alters perception and mood.

Psilocybin mushrooms

Fungi that contain psilocybin, a hallucinogen that changes thought processes and sensory perception.

LSD

A potent hallucinogen that alters perceptions, can cause sensory distortions and euphoria or panic, and may lead to sensory synesthesia where one sense blends with another.

Bad trip

A negative experience associated with hallucinogens like LSD, where individuals may experience frightening delusions, paranoia, and a loss of identity.

THC (marijuana)

The active chemical in cannabis that alters mood, perception, and coordination; it makes people self-centered, distorts perceptions of reality and motor functions, affects short-term and long-term memory, impairs memory retrieval, and can reduce male testosterone levels.