AP Psych- Psychoactive Drugs & Addiction

Methamphetamine

________: crash of irritability, social isolation, depression, possible seizures, hypertension, and likely violent outbursts.

LSD

________: stream of uninterrupted fantastic pictures, shapes, colors, etc.

Opioids

________ depress the centers that help control emotion.

Psychoactive Drug

a chemical that changes our states of consciousness, substances that change perceptions & moods, meaning the sensory information is the same but our perception o that info is altered

Addiction

bodies chemically adapt to these drugs & require greater amounts each time to achieve an altered state, or in some cases, just to feel normal and devoid of pain

Withdrawal

the mental & physical pains experienced when the drug use has been halted

Agonist

"Key copy", Drugs that binds to receptors, mimics the operation of a neurotransmitter

Antagonist

"Lock" Drugs that block receptor sites or block reuptake of neurotransmitters by certain neurons

Tolerance

occurs when the body gets used to a medication, → more medication is needed to give the desired effect, or a different medication is needed

Alcohol

dis-inhibitor which slows brain activity that controls judgment & inhibitions

Barbiturates (major), benzodiazepines (minor)

essentially tranquilizers, reduces anxiety and help people sleep

Opiates

endorphin-mimicking painkillers that bring a rush of warm, euphoric, & lifting feelings that can disrupt natural endorphin use & creation

Stimulants "Uppers"

drugs that excite neural activity & speed up body functions → causing a rise in breathing, heartbeat, energy, & confidence

Cocaine

provides rush of euphoria, depletes ones own dopamine, serotonin, & norepinephrine by blocking their reuptake

Methamphetamine

crash of irritability, social isolation, depression, possible seizures, hypertension, and likely violent outbursts

Hallucinogens

LSD, "mushrooms", ecstasy, psychedelic drug

Ecstasy (MDMA)

both a stimulant & mild hallucinogen

THC (found in cannabis)

more mild, but can evoke agitations & hallucinations