Untitled Flashcards Set

Depressants: drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Drug 

Plesuable effects

Negative after effects

Alcohol 

Initial high followed by relaxation + disinhibition; may not be able to do certain things after using

Depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions

Barbiturates (tranquilizers)

Reduce anxiety, can be used to help other disorders

Depress NS activity, can be prescribed to induce sleep / reduce anxiety, in large doses can impair memory & judgment

Opiates (Heroin)

Rush of euphoria, relief from pain, mimics effects of endorphins / norepinephrine 

Depressed physiology, slows down NS (slower cognitively, reduced memory), agonizing withdrawal once you come off it & don’t have another supply

Stimulants: drugs that excite neural activity & speed up body functions

Drug 

Plesuable effects

Negative after effects

Caffeine 

Increased alertness, wakefulness

Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia in high doses;

uncomfortable withdrawal (caffeine headache)

Nicotine 

Arousal, relaxation, sense of well-being

Heart disease / cancer, lung cancer

Cocaine 

Rush of euphoria, confidence, energy

Ramps up body so much it can cause cardiovascular stress (overworking heart), suspiciousness, depressive crash

Methamphetamine

Euphoria, alertness, energy

Irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures

Hallucinogens: psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions & evoke sensory images in absence of sensory input

Drug 

Plesuable effects

Negative after effects

Ecstasy (MDMA): mild hallucinogen, also stimulant

Emotional elevation, disinhibition

Dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, impaired

Cognitive, immune functioning

LSD

Visual “trip” (seeing things that are not there)

Risk of panic (as a result of “bad” trip)

Marijuana (THC)

Enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation

Impaired learning and memory, increased risk of

psychological disorders (correlation between those using marijuana at young age + development of schizophrenia)

How it works:

Function: 

Electroencephalogram 

measures electrical activity in brain by placing electrodes on scalp 

used to track real-time brain activity + diagnose conditions (epilepsy, sleep disorders); monitor general brain function; often used in sleep studies

Magnetoencephalography 

Head coil measures magnetic fields generated by electrical activity / natural electric currents in brain

used to map brain function -- surgical planning,studying sensory, cognitive, and motor processes; often used with PTSD

Computed Tomography 

use X-rays to create cross-sectional images of brain that may locate brain damage; (faster than MRI, exposes patients to radiation)

provides good structural detail; used in child brain injuries, 

Positron emission tomography 

tracks location fo temporarily radioactive tracer (form of glucose) in brain of person performing specific task; uses radiation

shows brain function; useful for detecting diseases / monitoring function; 

Magnetic resonance imaging 

People lie down / sit in chamber; uses strong magnetic fields + radio waves to produce detailed images of brain's soft tissue / brain’s structure; (slower than CT, offers more detail)

diagnosing structural abnormalities, brain injury, planning surgeries

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

measures changes in blood flow to different brain regions by comparing continuous MRI scans

Shows brain function + structure; mapping brain activity, studying cognitive processes (memory, decision-making), identifying brain regions involved in specific tasks

Amygdala 

Linked to emotion; veery primitive section of brain

Hippocampus 

Linked to conscious memory

Limbic system

Neural system located mostly in forebrain (below cerebral hemispheres); includes amygdala, hypothalamus, pituitary gland

Corpus callosum 

Axon fibers connecting 2 cerebral hemispheres

Thalamus 

relays messages between lower brain centers & cerebral cortex

Hypothalamus 

Controls maintenance functions (easting); helps govern endocrine system; linked to emotion & reward

Pituitary gland

Master endocrine gland

Reticular formation (reticular activation system)

Helps control arousal / alertness

Pons 

Helps coordinate movement & control sleep

Medulla 

Controls heartbeat, breathing

Spinal cord

Pathway for neural fibers traveling to / from brain; controls simple reflexes

Cerebellum (“little brain”)

Coordinates voluntary movement, balance; supports learning & memories of such

Cerebral cortex 

Ultimate control & information-processing center