Topic5_ConsciousnessPOSTY

Psychoactive Drugs

Concept:

• The exploration of psychoactive drugs offers insight into the highs and lows of human consciousness, impacting physiological and psychological states.

Use of Psychoactive Drugs in Canada

Statistics:

• In 2019, a significant percentage of Canadians reported using substances containing drugs in the past year, indicating widespread engagement with psychoactive substances.

Biochemical Influence:

• Mechanism of Action: Psychoactive substances contain chemicals that closely resemble natural brain substances, resulting in profound alterations in biochemical processes and neurotransmission.

Effects:

• Emotional and Perceptual Influence: These drugs can drastically alter emotions, perceptions, and behaviors, presenting a potential risk for dependency and addiction.

• Commonly Used Drugs:

  • Caffeine: A stimulant known for its impact on alertness.

  • Nicotine: Another stimulant that activates brain pathways linked to pleasure.

  • Alcohol: A depressant that can impair function significantly.

  • Cannabis/THC: Known for its varied effects including relaxation and altering time perception.

Effects of Psychoactive Drugs

Nervous System Impact:

• Mechanisms of Influence: Different drugs have distinct effects on the nervous system:

  • Enhancing Neurotransmitter Release: Some drugs increase the release of neurotransmitters while others modify their reuptake or removal.

Mechanisms:

• Agonists: These drugs enhance the effect of neurotransmitters by mimicking their function.

• Antagonists: They block the action of neurotransmitters, disrupting normal functions.

• Reuptake Inhibitors: These prevent neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed, prolonging their effects.

Addiction & Dependence

Types of Addiction:

• Biologically Based Addiction: This occurs when the body becomes so accustomed to the presence of a drug that it cannot function normally without it.

• Psychologically Based Addiction: Involves a belief or a perceived need for a drug to cope with stress or emotional issues.

Tolerance:

• As use continues, the body often requires more of the drug to achieve the same initial effects.

Dependence Types:

• Physical Dependence: This relates to physical withdrawal symptoms that occur when the drug is absent.

• Psychological Dependence: Characterized by cravings and emotional ties to the substance.

Legalization Debate

Discussion Point:

• A contentious topic remains whether all psychoactive drugs should be legalized for recreational use, raising questions about public health, safety, and personal freedom.

Stimulants

Definition:

• Stimulants are substances that raise activity in the central nervous system (CNS), increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and muscular tension.

Common Stimulants:

• Caffeine: Known to enhance attentiveness, improve mood, and decrease reaction times.

• Nicotine: Engages neural mechanisms similar to cocaine, enhancing norepinephrine and acetylcholine effects, which also promotes release of dopamine associated with pleasure.

Guessing Caffeine Content

Caffeine Comparison Exercise:

• A learning activity that engages participants in comparing caffeine content across various products such as herbal tea, chocolate, iced coffee, energy drinks, and sodas.

Amphetamines

Strong Stimulants:

• Examples include Dexedrine and Benzedrine (often referred to as speed).

Effects:

• Small doses can lead to enhanced energy, elation, and sociability; whereas prolonged usage can cause dangerous mental health outcomes like paranoia, reduced libido, and even convulsions or death.

Cognitive Impact:

• Long-term users of methamphetamine show notable deficits in grey matter, affecting critical cognitive functions.

Effects on ADHD Patients

Amphetamines and ADHD:

• Adderall and coffee: Their effects on individuals with ADHD can be markedly different, where individuals may experience heightened wakefulness and improved stress management capabilities due to dopamine level variations.

Cocaine

Effects:

• Small cocaine doses can create feelings of well-being, energy, and confidence; conversely, larger doses can result in irritability and aggressive behavior.

Mechanism:

• Works by blocking the reabsorption of dopamine, causing accumulation in the brain and leading to intense sensations of pleasure.

Depressants

Definition:

• Depressants are drugs that slow down brain activity and increase GABA activity, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

Effects:

• Low doses can induce euphoria and intoxication, while high doses may result in impaired motor control and consciousness.

Alcohol

Common Depressant:

• Functions as a stimulant at low doses, whilst acting as a depressant at higher quantities.

Effects:

• Alters inhibitions and judgment, often magnifying emotional responses; females typically experience stronger effects compared to males.

Alcohol Flush Reaction

Physiological Responses:

• Discussion on the body's physiological reactions to alcohol consumption, particularly the flushing effect observed in some individuals due to genetic factors.

Balanced-Placebo Design

Influence of Expectations:

• The study of expectations and their substantial influence on social behavior, often having a more pronounced effect than the physiological impact of substances.

Brain Effects of Alcohol

Impacted Areas:

• Occipital Lobe: May result in blurred vision.

• Frontal Lobe: Could lead to slurred speech and lack of control.

• Risks of alcohol poisoning, including blackouts and comas, are critically relevant.

Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

Barbiturates:

• Historically prescribed to induce sleep, carry risks of fatality when combined with alcohol.

Benzodiazepines:

• Often prescribed for anxiety but known for high addictive potential, with risks of developing tolerance and memory impairment.

Quaaludes

Methaqualone:

• Once a popular recreational drug in the 1970s known for its sedative and hypnotic qualities, its use has since been banned due to safety concerns.

Narcotics

Definition:

• Narcotics are drugs that induce relaxation and alleviate pain and anxiety, recognized for their addictive properties (e.g., heroin, morphine).

Opioids

Description:

• Include drugs such as morphine, heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl; act as CNS depressants inducing relaxation and euphoria while obstructing pain perception.

Risks:

• Chronic use can lead to reduced responsiveness of opioid receptors.

Opioid Overdose Death Trends

Wave Overview:

• An analysis of opioid overdose death trends from the 1990s, detailing the rise associated with increased prescriptions, the surge in heroin use, and the current crisis involving synthetic opioids.

OxyContin

Promotional Notes:

• OxyContin is known to provide rapid relief for chronic pain; however, it has significant risks concerning addiction and misuse.

Year Reference

Year Mentioned:

• The content highlights studies and discussions relevant to the current year, 2023, indicating ongoing developments in understanding substance use.

Overdose vs. COVID-19 Deaths

Graphs Comparison:

• Analysis comparing overdose death statistics to COVID-19 death statistics in 2020, reflecting public health crises and their impacts.

Applied Reflection

Discussion Prompt:

• Consider strategies for preventing opioid-related deaths during public health emergencies, and identify methods to better protect individuals who are at risk. This encourages critical thinking and problem-solving regarding public health safety measures.

Hallucinogens

Definition:

• Hallucinogens are substances capable of causing perceptual changes and hallucinations (e.g., LSD, psilocybin, marijuana), with growing interest in their therapeutic potential for mental health conditions.

Effects of MDMA & LSD

Neurochemical Impact:

• Both MDMA and LSD primarily affect serotonin levels in the brain, altering perceptions and facilitating social connectedness.

Marijuana

Main Component:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); associated effects encompass altered perception of time, heightened sensory sensitivity, and impaired memory functioning.

Long-Term Effects of Marijuana

Risks:

• Chronic use has been linked with cognitive impairments and an increased risk of psychosis, especially among individuals with pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities.

Changes in Cannabis Strength

Analysis:

• Today's cannabis varieties exhibit substantially higher THC levels compared to those of previous decades, resulting in amplified effects and potential for harm.