PSY 215: Lecture 3

What are the four major groups of substances covered in this lecture?

Depressants, stimulants, opioids, and hallucinogens.

What are depressants?

Substances that decrease central nervous system activity and promote sedation and relaxation.

What are examples of depressants?

Alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics.

What are sedatives?

Substances that calm the body and reduce arousal.

What are hypnotics?

Substances that promote sleep.

What are anxiolytics?

Substances that reduce anxiety.

What are stimulants?

Substances that increase alertness, activity, mood, arousal, and concentration.

What are examples of stimulants?

Amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine.

What are opioids?

Psychoactive substances that can reduce pain and produce euphoria, including natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic drugs.

What are examples of opioids?

Heroin, opium, codeine, and morphine.

What are hallucinogens?

Substances that alter sensory perception and may produce hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions.

What are examples of hallucinogens covered in this lecture?

LSD and cannabis, although cannabis can have depressant, stimulant, and hallucinogenic effects.

What is a psychoactive substance?

A substance that affects brain function and changes mood, perception, cognition, or behaviour.

How do depressants differ from stimulants?

Depressants generally decrease central nervous system activity, while stimulants generally increase alertness and activity.

What factors can influence a substance's effects?

The substance, dose, individual differences, expectations, and the person's environment.

What are alcohol-related disorders?

Cognitive, behavioural, biological, and social problems associated with alcohol use and misuse.

What is the most commonly used substance in the depressant group?

Alcohol.

Why might alcohol initially make someone feel more outgoing?

Its effects on the central nervous system can reduce inhibition and anxiety.

How does alcohol affect reaction time and judgment?

It slows reaction time, impairs judgment, and reduces motor coordination.

How is alcohol absorbed into the body?

After oral ingestion, it is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, mainly through the small intestine.

Approximately what proportion of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach?

About 10%, according to the lecture notes.

Approximately what proportion of alcohol is absorbed through the small intestine?

About 90%, according to the lecture notes.

What is the liver's role in processing alcohol?

It metabolizes most of the alcohol that enters the body.

How does some alcohol leave the body through the lungs?

A small amount is exhaled, allowing breathalyzer tests to estimate alcohol concentration.

How does alcohol affect GABA?

It enhances inhibitory GABA signalling, contributing to sedation, relaxation, and reduced anxiety.

How does alcohol affect dopamine?

It influences dopamine reward pathways, contributing to pleasurable and reinforcing effects.

How may alcohol's effects on serotonin relate to alcohol use?

Serotonin signalling may contribute to mood changes and alcohol craving.

How can alcohol affect glutamate signalling?

It inhibits aspects of excitatory glutamate signalling, contributing to memory impairment and blackouts.

What is alcohol intoxication?

A state of impairment after drinking alcohol that can affect mood, speech, judgment, coordination, attention, and memory.

What are common signs of alcohol intoxication?

Mood changes, slurred speech, impaired judgment, incoordination, poor attention or memory, and an unsteady gait.

What are common alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

Sweating, hand tremors, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes hallucinations or seizures.

What are the possible long-term consequences of excessive alcohol use?

Liver disease, cardiovascular problems, cognitive impairment, and other physical and social harms.

What is alcohol-related dementia?

Deterioration in cognitive functioning associated with excessive alcohol exposure and related damage.

What is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?

A serious neurological condition associated with thiamine deficiency, often linked to chronic heavy alcohol use.

What are symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?

Confusion, memory impairment, and problems with muscle coordination.

Why are heavy drinkers at risk of thiamine deficiency?

Heavy alcohol use can contribute to poor nutrition and impaired thiamine absorption or utilization.

What is fetal alcohol syndrome?

A condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that can involve characteristic physical features, learning difficulties, and behavioural problems.

Does alcohol permanently kill every neuron it affects?

No, but excessive alcohol exposure can cause brain damage, memory impairment, blackouts, and seizures.

What is a blackout caused by alcohol?

A period during intoxication for which a person cannot later recall memories because memory formation was disrupted.

How does heavy drinking prevalence differ by sex in the lecture notes?

Men are described as more likely to drink and to drink heavily, although patterns vary across populations.

What definition of heavy drinking for men appears in the lecture notes?

Five or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month in the past year.

What definition of heavy drinking for women appears in the lecture notes?

Four or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month in the past year.

Which regions are identified in the lecture notes as having higher rates of alcohol use disorders?

Some European regions, including Hungary and Russia, and the United States.

What factors can explain differences in alcohol use across countries?

Attitudes toward drinking, availability, family norms, and physiological responses.

Why is early alcohol use a risk indicator for later alcohol-related problems?

Early drinking is associated with an increased likelihood of later alcohol-related disorders.

How might a weaker sedative response to alcohol influence risk?

A person who experiences less sedation may be more likely to drink heavily and develop alcohol-related problems.

Why can mixing alcohol with highly caffeinated energy drinks be risky?

Caffeine can reduce the perception of tiredness without reversing alcohol-related impairment, potentially encouraging further drinking.

What are the main effects of stimulants?

Increased alertness, activity, arousal, concentration, and sometimes elevated mood.

What are the four stimulants covered in this lecture?

Caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine.

What is caffeine use disorder?

Cognitive, biological, behavioural, or social problems associated with caffeine use and misuse.

What is the most commonly used stimulant in North America, according to the lecture?

Caffeine.

What are the effects of small doses of caffeine?

Increased alertness, elevated mood, and reduced fatigue.

What are the effects of large doses of caffeine?

Insomnia, jitteriness, and other unpleasant effects.

Can regular caffeine use lead to tolerance?

Yes, repeated use can reduce sensitivity to its effects.

What is caffeine withdrawal?

Symptoms that occur after reducing or stopping regular caffeine use.

What are common caffeine withdrawal symptoms?

Headache, fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

What are tobacco-related disorders?

Cognitive, biological, behavioural, and social problems associated with nicotine use and misuse.

What is nicotine?

A psychoactive stimulant found in tobacco that can produce dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal.

How quickly can inhaled nicotine reach the brain?

Approximately 7–19 seconds, according to the lecture notes.

How does nicotine enter the bloodstream when smoking?

It is inhaled into the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream.

What are the short-term effects of nicotine?

It may temporarily improve mood, increase alertness, and relieve perceived stress.

What are some harmful consequences of nicotine use?

Increased blood pressure and higher risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer associated with tobacco smoking.

What are common nicotine withdrawal symptoms?

Depressed mood, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite, and weight gain.

How does smoking prevalence differ by sex in the lecture notes?

Smoking prevalence is described as higher among men, although rates vary across populations.

What is the bidirectional relationship between smoking and depression?

Smoking may contribute to depression risk, while depression may also increase the likelihood of smoking.

How can smoking influence the rewarding effects of alcohol?

Simultaneous smoking may enhance alcohol's rewarding effects through interactions with dopamine reward pathways.

What are common signs of amphetamine or cocaine intoxication?

Pupil dilation, hyperactivity, hypervigilance, and increased alertness.

What is hypervigilance?

A heightened state of alertness to potential threats or environmental stimuli.

What are common stimulant withdrawal symptoms?

Fatigue, insomnia or excessive sleep, increased appetite, and unpleasant dreams.

Why can stimulant withdrawal affect daily functioning?

Fatigue, low energy, sleep changes, and mood disturbances may interfere with everyday activities.

What are opioids?

A family of psychoactive substances that reduce pain and may produce euphoria, sedation, and dependence.

What are opiates?

Naturally occurring substances derived from the opium poppy that have narcotic effects.

What is the difference between opiates and opioids?

Opiates are naturally derived from opium; opioids is the broader term that includes natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic substances.

What are examples of opioids or opiates?

Heroin, opium, codeine, and morphine.

What are endorphins?

Naturally produced chemicals in the body that act on opioid receptors and help regulate pain and reward.

What are opioid-related disorders?

Cognitive, behavioural, and social problems associated with the use and misuse of opioids.

What are the main effects of opioids?

Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness, slowed breathing, and potentially death from overdose.

Why are opioids sometimes prescribed after surgery?

They can provide effective relief from moderate to severe pain.

Why must clinicians be cautious when prescribing opioids?

They can cause dependence and misuse, and excessive doses can dangerously suppress breathing.

What is an opioid intoxication symptom involving the pupils?

Pupil constriction, also called miosis.

What are common opioid intoxication symptoms?

Pupil constriction, drowsiness, slurred speech, and impaired attention or memory.

What are common opioid withdrawal symptoms?

Pupil dilation, excessive yawning, sweating, insomnia, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting.

How does pupil size typically differ between opioid intoxication and withdrawal?

Intoxication often causes constricted pupils, while withdrawal often causes dilated pupils.

What are possible long-term consequences of opioid use disorder?

Repeated relapse, elevated mortality risk, health complications, and increased risk of infections such as HIV.

Why can relapse be common in opioid use disorder?

Cravings, withdrawal, drug cues, stress, and other factors can contribute to returning to use.

What does the lecture note about stable abstinence from opioids?

It reports that only about 30% experience stable abstinence; this is a lecture-specific statistic, not a universal rate.

Why might some people replace opioids with alcohol or other drugs?

They may attempt to manage withdrawal, distress, or cravings, but this can introduce additional risks.

How can opioid misuse increase HIV risk?

Sharing contaminated injection equipment can transmit HIV and other blood-borne infections.

What is the opioid crisis in Canada?

A public health crisis involving opioid-related harms, including dependence, poisoning, and deaths.

How do opioids affect the body's natural opioid system?

They act on opioid receptors, interacting with systems that normally respond to endorphins and regulate pain and reward.

What are hallucinogens?

Substances that alter perception and may produce hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia.

What are some risks associated with hallucinogens?

Distressing experiences, impaired judgment, and possible psychotic reactions in susceptible individuals.

What is LSD?

A synthetic hallucinogen that is sometimes called acid.

What is a trip?

The altered perceptual and psychological experience produced by a hallucinogen.

What is a bad trip?

A distressing hallucinogenic experience that may involve fear, panic, or frightening perceptual changes.

What are examples of altered perception during an LSD trip?

Objects may appear to move, change shape, or seem animated.

How quickly can tolerance to some hallucinogens develop?

It can develop rapidly.

What is cannabis?

A psychoactive substance derived from the cannabis plant that can affect mood, perception, cognition, and behaviour.

What does the term marijuana refer to?

A common term for the dried parts of the cannabis plant.

What are the three categories of effects cannabis may produce?

Depressant-like, stimulant-like, and hallucinogenic effects.