(10) 1.7 Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive Drug

A chemical substance that alters perceptions & mood.

Tolerance

Diminishing effect with regular use of the same drug.

Addiction

Craving and using the substance despite its negative effects.

Withdrawal

Discomfort and distress after stopping an addictive drug.

Depressants

Drugs that calm neural activity & slow body functions.

Alcohol

A depressant that slows neural processing, disrupts memory, and reduces self-awareness.

Barbiturates

Tranquilizers that induce sleep or reduce anxiety while impairing memory and judgment.

Opioids

Drugs that provide short-term pleasure by replacing pain but are extremely addictive long-term.

Stimulant

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Caffeine

A stimulant that increases alertness and wakefulness but can cause anxiety and restlessness.

Nicotine

A highly addictive stimulant that provides arousal, relaxation, and a sense of well-being.

Cocaine

A stimulant that provides a rush of confidence and energy but leads to cardiovascular stress and depressive crashes.

Methamphetamine

A powerful stimulant that triggers dopamine release and causes severe aftereffects.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

A stimulant that triggers dopamine release and blocks serotonin reuptake, leading to high energy and emotional elevation.

Hallucinogen

Drugs that distort perceptions and evoke images without sensory input.

LSD

A hallucinogen causing varied emotional experiences and hallucinations.

Marijuana

A hallucinogen that impairs motor skills and memory while providing pain relief.