Psychoactive Drugs

Types of drugs and their effects on the brain (Directly taken from AP psychology notes).

Depressants

Calm neural activity & slow bodily functions. Alcohol (disinhibitor), Slows neural processing, causes memory disruption, reduces REM, and expectancy effects.

Barbiturates

Depresses the nervous system, induces sleep, or reduces anxiety. Examples are Nembutal, Seconal, & Amytal. Lethal if mixed with alcohol, also, known as tranquilizers.

Opioids

Narcotics (Heroin & Methadone), pain relief narcotics (Codeine, Oxytocin, Vicodin, Morphine, & Fentanyl), depresses neural functioning, pleasure replaces pain & anxiety (endorphins), and are highly active.

Stimulants

Excite neural activity & arouse body functions, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines (speed), methamphetamine, & ecstasy (MDMA) or X.

Marijuana

Comes from hemp, THC (active ingredient), smoked (reaches the brain in 7 seconds), lingers in the body for over a week, & disrupts memory formation.

Cocaine

Enters the bloodstream quickly & induces immediate euphoria, depletes the brain of dopamine, serotonin, & norepinephrine, can be snorted, injected, or smoked, and wears off within the hour & agitated depression follows.

Amphetamines/methamphetamine

Stimulates neural activity, meth is chemically similar but has a stronger effect, meth releases dopamine to enhance energy & mood (8 hours), withdrawal symptoms include irritability, insomnia, seizures, depression, etc., and lowers dopamine baseline.

Ecstasy

Stimulant & mild hallucinogen, powder form (Molly), triggers dopamine release but releases stored serotonin & blocks the reuptake to feel good, takes 30 to feel, lasts 3-4 hours, and can cause overheating, dehydration, & depression, also, known as MDMA.

Hallucinogens

Substances that can cause changes in a person’s perception of reality. Examples include PCP, LSD, THC, ecstasy or X (also a stimulant), Ayahuasca, Mescaline (peyote cactus), & Psilocybin (mushrooms), also, known as psychedelics.

LSD

It starts with simple geometric forms, then more meaningful images, and peaks with people feeling separated from their bodies & experiencing dreamlike scenes.