AP Psych Unit 2 Vocab

Psychoactive Drugs and Consciousness

psychoactive drug

substances that alter brain function, leading to changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior

-act on the central nervous system and can be categorized into stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and opioids

agonist

substances that bind to neurotransmitter receptors and mimic their effects, enhancing neural activity

“Agonists Activate”

antagonist

substances that bind to neurotransmitter receptors without activating them, blocking the effects of neurotransmitters

"Antagonists antagonize"

stimulants

drugs that increase neural activity and arousal, leading to heightened alertness, attention, and energy levels

●Caffeine (found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some medications)

●Amphetamines (e.g., Adderall, Dexedrine)

●Methamphetamine (e.g., crystal meth)

●Cocaine (powder cocaine, crack cocaine)

●Methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin, Concerta)

●MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly)

●Nicotine (found in tobacco products)

●Modafinil (Provigil)

●Ephedrine (found in certain cold medications and dietary supplements)

●Phentermine (used as a prescription weight-loss medication)

caffeine

natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and some sodas

acts on the central nervous system, increasing alertness and reducing fatigue by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine

cocaine

powerful stimulant derived from the coca plant

increases neural activity, leading to euphoria, increased energy, and alertness (works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine)

works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

amphetamines

methaphetamine

ecstasy (MDMA)

depressants

drugs that slow down neural activity and bodily functions

-induce relaxation, sedation, and can lower inhibitions

●Alcohol

●Benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium, Ativan)

●Barbiturates

●Antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol) - While primarily used to treat psychotic disorders, antipsychotics can also have sedating effects.

●Antidepressants (e.g., trazodone, amitriptyline) - Certain antidepressants, particularly those with sedative properties, can act as depressants.

●Antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, doxylamine) - Some over-the-counter antihistamines have sedating effects and are used as sleep aids.

alcohol

depressant drug that slows down neural activity in the central nervous system

-can impair judgment, coordination, and cognitive functions, leading to relaxation, euphoria, and, in higher doses, intoxication

alcohol use disorder

barbiturates

hallucinogens

drugs that alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often causing hallucinations or profound changes in consciousness

●LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)

●Psilocybin (Magic mushrooms)

●DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)

●Mescaline (Peyote, San Pedro cactus)

●Ayahuasca

●Salvia divinorum (Salvia)

●PCP (Phencyclidine)

●Ketamine

●2C-B

●MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly) - While MDMA is primarily known as an empathogen and stimulant, it can also produce hallucinogenic effects at higher doses.

LSD

marijuana

psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant

-contains THC, which alters mood, perception, and cognition

-effects include relaxation, altered perception of time, and heightened sensory experiences

-can produce some hallucinogenic-like effects in certain individuals, it is not typically considered a true hallucinogen

THC

opioids/opiates

psychoactive drugs that act on opioid receptors in the brain and body, producing pain relief, euphoria, and sedation

●Morphine

●Codeine

●Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)

●Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)

●Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

●Fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq)

●Methadone

●Tramadol (Ultram)

●Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex)

●Heroin

heroin

highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine

-produces intense euphoria, pain relief, and sedation by binding to opioid receptors in the brain

tolerance

condition where increasing amounts of a psychoactive substance are needed to achieve the same effects

-occurs due to the brain's adaptation to the drug, leading to reduced sensitivity to its effects over time

withdrawal

the onset of symptoms when a person stops using a psychoactive substance after prolonged use

-symptoms can include physical discomfort, psychological distress, and cravings for the drug

addiction

chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences

-involves changes in brain structure and function, leading to a loss of control over drug consumption.

substance use disorder

near-death experience

The Sleep-Wake Cycle

consciousness

the state of being aware of and able to perceive one's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings

-involves various levels, from alert wakefulness to altered states such as sleep or meditation

circadian rhythm

the natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours

-influences patterns of alertness, hormone release, body temperature, and other physiological processes.

jet lag

temporary disruption of the body's circadian rhythm due to rapid travel across multiple time zones

-can result in fatigue, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating as the body adjusts to the new time zone

shift work

employment schedules that require working outside of typical daytime hours, often disrupting the body's natural circadian rhythm

-can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and increased risk of health problems due to the mismatch between work hours and the body's internal clock

NREM 1

the first stage of non-rapid eye movement sleep characterized by drifting in and out of sleep, lasting only a few minutes

-brain waves slow down, muscles relax, and individuals may experience sudden muscle contractions known as hypnic jerks

NREM 2

second stage of non-rapid eye movement sleep characterized by light sleep, lasting about 20 minutes

-brain waves further slow down, and sleep spindles (short bursts of brain activity) and K-complexes (sudden, sharp waveforms) appear

NREM 3

deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement sleep characterized by the presence of predominantly delta waves.

-resoration of resources

resoration of resources

the process during sleep where the body and brain replenish energy, repair tissues, and remove waste products, promoting physical and mental well-being

REM (rapid eye movement) Sleep

stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, and muscle paralysis

-associated with increased brain activity, including dreaming, and plays a role in memory consolidation and emotional processing

4 types of brain waves

Alpha

Beta

Theta

Delta

REM Rebound

phenomenon where the body increases the time spent in REM sleep after a period of REM deprivation

-occurs as a compensatory response to the lack of REM sleep, often resulting in more intense and frequent REM sleep episodes

activation synthesis (dreams)

theory proposing that dreams are the result of random neural activity in the brainstem during REM sleep, which is then interpreted and synthesized by the cerebral cortex into a narrative or story

consolidation theory (dreams)

theory suggesting that dreams play a role in the memory consolidation and processing of memories

-during sleep, the brain organizes and integrates information acquired throughout the day, contributing to memory storage and learning

insomnia

sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep, leading to daytime impairment such as fatigue, mood disturbances, and decreased cognitive function

narcolepsy

sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden episodes of muscle weakness (cataplexy), sleep paralysis, and hallucinations during sleep onset or awakening

sleep apnea

sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep patterns, daytime fatigue, and other health problems

REM sleep behavior disorder

sleep disorder where individuals physically act out their dreams during REM sleep, potentially causing injury to themselves or others due to loss of muscle paralysis

somnambulism

sleep disorder commonly known as sleepwalking, characterized by walking or performing other activities while still asleep

-typically occurs during non-REM sleep stages and can result in injuries or accidents

Sensation

sensation

the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment

perception

the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information to make sense of the world around us

-involves the brain's interpretation of sensory inputs, which can be influenced by past experiences, expectations, and context

transduction

the conversion of sensory stimuli into neural impulses that can be understood by the brain

-the transformation of physical energy into electrochemical signals, enabling the brain to interpret and perceive sensory information

absolute threshold

the minimum amount of stimulation required for a stimulus to be detected by a sensory system

-represents the point at which a stimulus becomes noticeable to an individual at least 50% of the time

just-noticeable difference (JND)

the smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected by an individual/the minimal difference needed for a person to perceive that a change has occurred

weber’s law

the perceived difference in a stimulus must be proportional to the original intensity of the stimulus

-the bigger something is, the more you need to change it to notice a difference

sensory adaptation

the process by which sensory receptors become less responsive to constant stimuli over time

synesthesia

a condition in which stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in another sensory pathway

Sensation: Vision

retina

the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye containing photoreceptor cells that convert light into neural signals (where transduction occurs)

rods

photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for vision in low light conditions and detecting motion

-provide black-and-white vision and are highly sensitive to light, allowing us to see in dim environments

cones

photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color vision and detail in bright light

-enable us to perceive colors and fine visual details, such as reading text or distinguishing between different hues

fovea

central area of the retina responsible for sharp central vision

-contains a high concentration of cone cells (no rods), enabling detailed and color vision