Module 1.3b: Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive Drugs

• A. Psychoactive Drugs: Chemicals that change perceptions and moods by altering brain activity.

  • 1. Substance Abuse Disorder: Continued substance use despite significant disruption to life.

    • 4 Indicators:

      • Diminished control over use: Individuals have difficulty regulating drug use, spending more time using and acquiring the substance than on other life activities.

      • Diminished social functioning: Substance use disrupts school, work, and home environments.

      • Hazardous use: Continued use despite known physical and mental drawbacks.

      • Drug action: Characterized by high tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

  • Tolerance: Occurs when increasing amounts of a drug are needed to produce the same effect.

    • Example: If a person gets drunk from one beer the first time, they will need more and more beer in subsequent uses to achieve the same drunk feeling.

  • Withdrawal: The discomfort and distress that follow stopping the use of an addictive drug.

    • This includes psychological distress and physical withdrawal symptoms, such as experiencing pain in the body where there was no pain before, which often drives continued drug use.

    • When drug use begins, neural pathways are formed that are never truly broken, making it easy for individuals to be drawn back to drug use, especially during difficult times.

  • Physical Dependence: The body needs the drug to function normally; withdrawal symptoms occur without it.

    • The need to use the drug arises from the pain and discomfort caused by withdrawal.

  • Psychological Dependence: The mind craves the drug, leading to a strong desire or belief that the drug is needed.

    • This dependence is driven by the perceived need to feel a certain way or achieve a specific mental state.

  • Blood-Brain Barrier: A filtering system of blood vessels that protects the brain from harmful substances.

    • Example: If a person ingests bacteria, the brain can fight off the virus to protect itself from harm.

    • Some drugs, such as marijuana, pass the blood-brain barrier, directly affecting the brain.

  • Synergistic Effect: Occurs when combining drugs leads to a stronger effect than each drug would produce alone.

    • This happens because the liver's ability to dilute substances is overwhelmed, increasing the potency of one or both drugs.

Depressants

• B. Depressants: Substances that slow down or depress the Central Nervous System (CNS).

  • They induce intoxication, which is a behavioral or physical state, and generally promote relaxation.

  • 1. Alcohol: A depressant that initially causes a high, then progressively slows down CNS activity.

    • Danger: High doses can lead to respiratory failure as the CNS continues to slow down, eventually stopping the automatic nervous system functions.

    • Brain Impact: Chronic drinking can lead to over 10 ext{ percent} reduction in brain activity/function over a span of time.

    • Effects:

      • Slurred speech.

      • Reduces self-awareness.

      • Disrupts memory.

      • Reduces judgment, leading to poor decision-making (e.g., drinking and driving).

  • 2. Barbiturates: Tranquilizers that depress or slow down nervous system activity.

    • Effects: Reduce anxiety, increase relaxation.

    • Danger: In high doses, they can cause respiratory failure. They are highly addictive and particularly dangerous when combined with other depressants.

  • 3. Opioids: Such as morphine and heroin.

    • Mechanism: Mimic the body's natural endorphins.

    • Effects: Relieve pain and produce euphoria.

    • Addiction: Highly addictive.

    • Brain Impact: They replace the brain's ability to naturally produce endorphins, thereby changing brain chemistry.

    • Danger: In high doses, they can cause death.

  • 4. Anxiolytics (aka Tranquilizers or Anti-anxiety drugs):

    • Effects: Reduce anxiety.

    • Dependence Potential: Can cause dependence, but generally have a lower potential for addiction compared to other depressants and do not typically induce sleepiness.

    • Examples: Valium and Ketamine.

      • Ketamine: A tranquilizer that can be used to induce a state close to dying, resulting in a significant dopamine and endorphin rush.

Stimulants

• C. Stimulants: Substances that have effects opposite to depressants; they speed up the CNS.

  • They typically cause euphoria and provide individuals with a lot of energy.

  • 1. Caffeine: Excites the CNS.

    • Physiological Effects: Increases alertness, reduces adenosine, speeds up heart rate, and constricts veins.

    • Withdrawal: Has mild withdrawal effects.

    • Excessive Use Can Cause: Insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and polyuria (frequent urination).

  • 2. Nicotine: A stimulant that causes both arousal and relaxation.

    • Mechanism: Stimulates acetylcholine transmission.

    • Physiological Effects: Increases heart rate and arousal, releases dopamine.

    • Other Effects: Decreases appetite.

    • Addiction: Highly addictive.

  • 3. Cocaine:

    • Mechanism: Blocks the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

    • Effect: Creates an intense euphoria, which is then followed by a severe crash.

  • 4. Amphetamines/Methamphetamine:

    • Effects: Increase energy and dopamine, cause euphoria, and increase libido.

    • Negative Side Effects: Headaches, heart palpitations, diarrhea, delusions of grandeur (a belief that one is better or more important than they actually are), and skin problems.

    • Withdrawal: Causes pain and schizophrenic behavior.

    • Duration: Can last in the system for a long time, sometimes up to 6 ext{ months}.

  • Ecstasy (MDMA/Molly): Classified as both a stimulant and a hallucinogen.

    • Effects: Produces euphoria, releases serotonin.

    • Damage: Damages serotonin-producing neurons, which disrupts sleep and mood.

    • Side Effects: Causes dehydration because users often forget to take care of themselves, and jaw cramps.

    • Withdrawal: Can involve pain, impaired memory and cognitive function, and heart problems.

Hallucinogens

• D. Hallucinogens: Psychedelic drugs that distort judgment, sensation, and perception.

  • 1. Near-Death Experience: An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death, often described as similar to drug-induced hallucinations.

  • 2. Peyote: A cactus that contains mescaline, a hallucinogen that alters perception and mood.

  • 3. Psilocybin Mushrooms: Fungi that contain psilocybin, a hallucinogen that changes thought processes and sensory perception.

  • 4. LSD: A potent hallucinogen.

    • Effects: Alters perceptions, can cause sensory distortions and either euphoria or panic.

    • Unique Effect: Can cause sensory synesthesia, where one sense blends with another (e.g., tasting colors).

    • Psychological Effects: Can cause a loss of identity.

    • Danger: Users can experience a