4.4 Psychoactive Drugs: Opioids, Cannabis, and Hallucinogens

opioids

synthetic (or partially synthetic) forms of opiates such as heroin, oxycontin, and fentanyl

when used properly, highly effective pain meds

can be highly addictive and are linked to an incredible increase in deaths due to drug overdose

metabolic tolerance

form of drug tolerance where the nervous system changes to make the drug less effective 

psychological tolerance 

form of drug tolerance where classically conditioned stimuli that predict drug-taking cause the release of chemicals that keep the drug from affecting the nervous system 

cannabis/marijuana 

broad term to describe products that contain THC and CBD derived from cannabis plants 

cannabis use disorder

psychological disorder characterized by addictive and maladaptive behaviors related to the habitual use of cannabis products

hallucinogens 

class of drugs that alter consciousness, emotions, mood, perception, and sense of self

psychedelics and dissociative hallucinogens 

two categories of hallucinogens

psychedelics

dissociative hallucinogens

psychedelics

class of hallucinogenic drugs such as psilocybin, mescaline, and LSD

can produce a sense of euphoria, visual and auditory hallucinations, and ego dissolution

low risk of addiction

dissociative hallucinogens 

class of hallucinogenic drugs such as ketamine and pcp that is associated with ego dissolution but also shows higher risk of harm than psychedelics 

opioids are 

pain relievers, but they are also used recreationally 

work on our endogenous opiate system 

opioids can be highly addictive, and there has been a tremendous increase in

opioid-related overdoses over past 20 years (opioid crisis)

habitual opioid use causes a decrease in

synaptic receptors, thus produced metabolic tolerance

psychological tolerance is caused by 

classically conditioned responses to stimuli associated with taking the drug 

cannabis produces several subjective experiences like

relaxation, hallucinations, excitation, and skewed perceptions

two most researched chemicals in cannabis are

thc, which produces subjective high

cbd, which has been associated with relaxation and pain relief

cannabis does not pose same risk factors for addiction and health consequences as 

other psychoactive drugs, but it can still be addictive for some 

cannabis use can cause problems with

learning, motivation, and memory, esp when taken habitually in adolescence

hallucinogens produce ego dissolution and 

changes in consciousness 

psychedelic hallucinogens like psilocybin (magic mushrooms) typically rate low on

indexes of harm, though people can have frightening experiences

evidence has shown that hallucinogenic experiences produce greater connectivity

in the brain temporarily

hallucinogens are proving to be helpful for people with 

depression that don’t respond to treatment 

these drugs can also be beneficial for anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, though more research is needed