psychoactive drugs-marijuana aiden yoon

•Psychoactive drugs – Chemicals that change perceptions and moods.

•Substance abuse disorder – Continued substance use despite life disruption or physical risk. 4 indicators of it: Continue using it no matter what. Hazardous use, drug action (high tolerance/withdrawals), hard time regulating, diminished social functions

•Tolerance – Diminished effect with regular drug use, requiring more for the same effect. Symptoms that happen when you stop using the drug q•Withdrawal – Discomfort and distress following the stopping of a drug.

•Physical dependence – Body’s need for a drug, with withdrawal symptoms.

•Psychological dependence – Emotional need for a drug, often for stress relief.

•Blood-brain barrier – Protective filter that prevents harmful substances from reaching the brain.

•Synergistic effect – When drugs interact to amplify each other’s effects.

Depressants : drugs that reduce/slow down neural processes in the cns

•Alcohol – A Depressant that slows neural processing, disrupts memory, reduces self-awareness, and increases risky behavior.

•Barbiturates – Depressants that reduce anxiety but impair memory and judgment.

•Opioids – Depressants (like heroin, morphine) that reduce pain but are highly addictive.

•Anxiolytics (tranquilizers) – Drugs that reduce anxiety. E.g : tranquiliers, valium, ketamine

Stimulants : drugs that speed up cns processes; opposite of depressants

•Caffeine – Mild stimulant that increases alertness; reduces adenosine; polyuria

•Nicotine – Stimulant that increases heart rate and arousal and relaxation (eventually). Mix of both stulat and depression. Stimulates ACH transmission; decreases appetite

•Cocaine – Powerful stimulant producing temporary euphoria and energy. Dopamine serotonin

•Amphetamines/meth – Stimulants that increase dopamine and energy but are addictive. Paranoia

•Ecstasy (MDMA) – Stimulant and mild hallucinogen that increases serotonin and social intimacy.

Hallucinogens: psychedelic drugs can distort user perception, thoughts, feeling, sense of time, mood, and sense of self

•Near-death experience – Altered state of consciousness reported after close brushes with death.

•LSD – Potent hallucinogen that distorts perceptions, consciousness, causes hallucinations; originally made by military for bio warfare; sensory synesthesia; loss of identity; bad trip: unpleasant

•Marijuana (THC) – Mild hallucinogen producing relaxation and altered perception; alters mood perception and coordination; active drug in cannabis; affects memory short and long term; test levels drop