Lesson 4 Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive Drugs

Substances that alter perception, mood, and behavior by changing brain chemistry.

Tolerance

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect.

Substance Use Disorder

Continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk.

Addiction

Compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors despite known adverse consequences.

Depressants

Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Examples of Depressants

Alcohol, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Opioids.

Alcohol

a chemical compound, specifically ethanol, which is a central nervous

Barbiturates

drugs that depress CNS

Barbiturates USES

historically been used as sedatives, hypnotics (sleep aids), and anticonvulsants for conditions like seizures and insomnia

Barbiturates EFFECTS

Relaxation and sleepiness.

Babiturates RISKS

misuse can lead to side effects such as impaired judgement coordination and respiratory depression which can be life-threatning.

Babiturates EXAMPLES

Phenobarbital (used for epilepsy).

Benzodiazepines

sedative that slows down activity in the Brain, CNS

Benzodiazepines USES

Short-term treatment of conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.

Benzodiazepines EFFECTS

Calming and sedative, anxiolytic, sleep-inducing, and muscle relaxant.

Benzodiazepines RISKS

Dependence and addiction, impaired abilities, memory problems.

Benzodiasepines EXAMPLES

Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Temazepam (Restoril).

Opiod

Block pain signals. opium and its derivate such as morphine and heroin

Opiod USES

Short-term treatment of severe pain due to trauma or disease.

Opiod EFFECTS

Relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion.

Opiod EXAMPLES

Codeine, Morphine, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (Percocet), Tramadol, Heroin.

Alcohol USES

recreational

Alcohol EFFECT

slows brain functoin and can cause a sense of relaxation, disinihibation ot euphoria

Alcohol RISKS

damage to the liver, heart and brain and an increased risk of cancer.

Stimulants

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.

Caffeine

A natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and cola, which increases alertness by speeding up the messages between the brain and body.

Caffeine USES

For alertness.

Caffeine EFFECT

Moderate doses can improve focus.

Caffeine RISKS

Large doses can cause anxiety and sleep problems, and developing a tolerance is possible.

Amphetamines

Stimulants that speed up the body's system.

Amphetamines USES

Mainly used for treating ADD or ADHD.

Amphetamines EFFECT

Boosting energy levels, alertness, and focus.

Amphetamines RISKS

Addiction, cardiovascular problems, and psychosis.

AMphetamines EXAMPLES

Adderall

Methamphetamine

Synthetic central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drug.

Methamphetamine USES

Most methamphetamine use is illegal and recreational.

Methamphetamine EFFECTS

Producing intense euphoria, increased energy and alertness,

Methamphetamine RISKS

seizures, stroke, heart attack, severe dental problems ("meth mouth"), and skin sores, paranoia, psychosis, and addiction.

Methamphetamine ALSO KNOWN IS

Crystal meth, speed

Nicotine

A chemical found naturally in tobacco plants that is also synthesized and used in products like e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapies.

Nicotine USES

It is used recreationally in tobacco and vaping products for its stimulant and mood altering effects.

Nicotine EFFECT

Releases dopamine, leading to feelings of pleasure.

Nicotine RISKS

Highly addictive, tremors, dry mouth, cancer, heart and lung disease.

Cocaine

Stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant.

Cocaine USES

Producing short-lived feelings of euphoria and increased energy, followed by a "crash" characterized by depression and fatigue.

Cocaine EFFECT

Intense euphoria and increased alertness, dilated pupils, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and paranoia.

Cocaine RISKS

Addiction and dependence, severe damage to the nasal cavity and loss of smell, respiratory problems, risk of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis, increased risk of heart attack, stroke, seizure, and sudden death, psychosis, hallucinations and violent behavior.

Cocaine EXAMPLES

Coke, Snow, Crack Cocaine

Ecstasy MDMA

A synthetic drug with stimulant and psychedelic properties.

Ecstasy USES

Used illicitly as a recreational "club drug."

Ecstasy EFFECT

Creates feelings of euphoria, increased empathy and emotional warmth.

Ecstasy RISKS

Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, dehydration, death.

Ecstasy EXAMPLES

Ecstasy, X, Molly

Hallucinogens

Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

LSD

A powerful, illegal, hallucinogenic drug; is derived from a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.

LSD USES

Known to significantly alter a person's perceptions, thoughts, and emotions.

LSD EFFECT

The effects of LSD are highly unpredictable and vary based on the dose, the individual's mental state, and the surroundings.

LSD RISKS

Fear, impaired judgement, triggering mental health issues.

LSD EXAMPLES

Acid.

Cannabis

A non-chemically uniform psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant.

Cannabis USES

Enjoyment, stress management, or to treat symptoms like chronic pain, nausea, and multiple sclerosis.

Cannabis EFFECT

Euphoria, relaxation, and a "high" feeling, panic, paranoia, altered sensory perception, dry mouth, increased appetite, impaired memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.

Cannabis RISKS

Impaired coordination, memory problems, dependence, increased risk of certain mental health issues

Cannabis EXAMPLES

Marijuana, weed, pot.

Ketamine

A powerful dissociative anesthetic and painkiller.

Ketamine USES

Used legally in human and veterinary medicine.

Ketamine EFFECT

Feelings of numbness, relaxation, detachment from the body (a "k-hole" experience), visual hallucinations.

Ketamine RISKS

painful bladder, and kidney problems, abdominal pain, memory and concentration problems, depression and psychosis, respiratory deppression, loss of consciousness, accidents and death.

Ketamine EXAMPLES

Special K, K, Kitat, Vitamin K