Unit 1.1 - Neurons + NTs 4

psychoactive drugs and how they affect behavior and mental processes

Psychoactive drugs

Chemical substances that alter perceptions, mood, or behavior

Addiction

Craving for a chemical substance despite its adverse effects

Tolerance

After long-term use, the brain produces less of that specific neurotransmitter, creating a need for increasing amounts of the drug to experience the same effect

Withdrawal

Set of symptoms associated with discontinuing a drug, reversing neuroadaptation

Substance Abuse Disorder

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

Depressants

Lower neural activity and slow body functioning

Alcohol

Slows neural processing and thinking, impairing physical activity

Opiates

Drugs that reduce neurotransmission and temporarily lessen pain and anxiety

Opioids

A class of drugs (including heroin, morphine, and oxycodone) that act on opioid receptors to reduce pain and induce euphoria

Heroin

An opioid drug that binds to opioid receptors and produces intense euphoria, pain relief, and addiction risk

Barbiturates

Drugs that depress the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

Stimulants

Drugs that speed up the body’s functions

Caffeine

A stimulant that increases alertness and heart rate by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine

Nicotine

A stimulant found in tobacco that increases heart rate and stimulates neurotransmitter release

Cocaine

A powerful stimulant that blocks dopamine reuptake, leading to increased levels of dopamine in the brain

Methamphetamine

A highly addictive stimulant that increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain

Amphetamines

Stimulant drugs that increase neurotransmission and body functions, often prescribed for ADHD

Hallucinogens (psychedelics)

Drugs that distort perceptions of reality

LSD

A potent hallucinogen that alters perceptions and mood

Marijuana

A drug that can act as a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen depending on dosage and strain, often affecting mood, memory, and perception

Agonists

Chemicals that activate the receptors for certain neurotransmitters and enhance their effects

Antagonists

Chemicals that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters

Reuptake inhibitors

Drugs that prevent the axon terminals from reabsorbing neurotransmitters, prolonging their effect

Cocaine

A reuptake inhibitor for dopamine, its stimulating effects are caused by extra dopamine left in the synaptic gap