AP Psychology Unit 1.2-1.3

psychoactive drugs

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods; can lead to addiction and substance use disorder

When is drug use a disorder?

diminished control, diminished social functioning, hazardous use, drug action

alcohol + effects

depressant; initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition; depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions

heroin + effects

depressant; Rush of euphoria, relief from pain; Depressed physiology, agonizing withdrawal

caffeine + effects

stimulant; increased alertness and wakefulness; anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia in high doses, uncomfortable withdrawal

nicotine + effects

stimulant; Arousal and relaxation, sense of well-being; Heart disease, cancer

Cocaine + effects

stimulant; Rush of euphoria, confidence, energy; Cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash

Methamphetamine (Meth) + effects

stimulant; euphoria, alertness, energy; irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures

Ecsatsy + effects (MDMA)

Stimulant, mild hallucinogen; Emotional elevation, disinhibition; Dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, impaired cognitive and immune functioning

LSD + Effects

Hallucinogen; visual "trip", Risk of panic

What type of drug is marijuana?

Mild hallucinogen

What are the positive effects of marijuana?

Enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation

What are the negative effects of marijuana?

Impaired learning and memory, increased risk of psychological disorders

Hallucinogens

distort perceptions and evoke sensory images

What can hallucinogens cause?

false sensory hallucinations, impair memory, feelings of relaxation and/or euphoria

Depressants

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

What can depressants cause?

increase relaxation and pain relief, decrease mood arousal; slow down (depress) bodily processes

Stimulants

drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

What can stimulants cause?

increase energy, decrease appitite, brief sense of euphoria; speed up (stimulate) bodily processes

alcohol use disorder

The prolonged and excessive drinking, can shrink the brain

addiction

compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences

tolerance

the diminishing effects with regular use of the same dose of a drug

withdrawal

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

Psychoactive drugs work by

stimulating, inhibiting and mimicking neurotransmitter activity

agonists

drugs which mimic the activity of neurotransmitters

antagonist

blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor

endocrine system

the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

horomones

chemical substances that carry messages through the body in blood

pituitary gland

The endocrine gland at the base of the brain that controls growth and development

hypothalamus

brain region controlling the pituitary gland

thyroid gland

produces hormones that regulate metabolism, body heat, and bone growth

parathyroids

help regulate the level of calcium in the blood

adrenal glands

top of kidneys, glands that help the body recover from stress and respond to emergencies

Pancreas

below stomach, Regulates the level of sugar in the blood

Neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

reuptake

process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles

Acetylcholine (ACh)

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

An undersupply of Acetylcholine can lead to

Alzheimers

An oversupply of acetylcholine can lead to

Paralysis

Dopamine (DA)

regulates motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal

An undersupply of dopamine can lead to

Parkisons

An oversupply of dopamine can lead to

Schizophrenia

Seritonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

An undersupply of seritonin can lead to

depression

Norepinephrine (NE)

Mainly excitatory; involved in arousal and mood

GABA

inhibitory neurotransmitter

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

An undersupply of GABA can lead to

seizures, tremors, insomnia

An undersupply of Glutamate can lead to

concentration problems

An oversupply of Glutamate can lead to

sezuires or migranes

Endorphins

preception of pain and pleasure

An undersupply of endorphins can lead to

depression

An oversupply of endorphins can lead to

anxious/tired

Substance P

a neurotransmitter involved in pain perception

adrenaline

A hormone released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress; "flight or fight"

What is oxytocin?

A hormone released by the pituitary gland.

What are the functions of oxytocin?

Causes increased contraction of the uterus during labor and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts.

cortisol

maintains homostatsis, stress hormone

Soma/Cell Body

contains nucleus and DNA

Dendrites

receive messages from other neurons

Axon

the neuron extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons

Myelin Sheath

covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

Axon Terminals/Terminal Buttons

transmit signals to the dendrites

Schwann cells

produce myelin in PNS

Glial Cells (glia)

cells in the nervous system that is the support system for the neurons

Resting potential of a neuron

A stable, negative charge when the cell is inactive; ions are polarized

Threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Action potential of a neuron

a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon; ions are depolarized

All-or-nothing Law/Response

a neuron's reaction of either firing (with a full-strength response) or not firing as long as threshold is met

Nodes of Ranvier

gaps in the myelin sheath

Refactory Period

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

neurotransmitters

chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons

reuptake

process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles

nervous system

the network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.

neurons

a nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

anything that controls any part of your body; sensory and motor

Central Nervous System (CNS)

consists of the brain and spinal cord

Afferent Nerves

sensory nerves; nerves that carry information about the external environment to the brain and spinal cord

Efferent Nerves

motor nerves; nerves that carry information out of the brain and spinal cord to other areas of the body

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

a set of nerves that carries involuntary and automatic commands that control body organs and glands

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

The component of the autonomic nervous system that responds to stressful situations by initiating the fight-or-flight response

Parasympathetic Nervous System

a set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state

Interneurons

Central nervous system neurons that internally communicate and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

Reflexes

simple, automatic responses to sensory stimuli

Entric Nervous System (ENS)

an independent neural system involved with digestion; capable of signaling the brain regarding stress and other emotions