Psychoactive drugs

Dopamine is involved in many neural activities. Match the structure to its activity caused by dopamine: (1) Amygdala (2) Prefrontal Cortex (3) Hippocampus (4) Nucleus Accumbens (A) Memory formation (B) Emotion (C) Attention and planning (D) Controls Motor Function and Pleasure Center

(1) Amygdala -> (B) Emotion (2) Prefrontal Cortex -> (C) Attention and planning (3) Hippocampus -> (A) Memory formation (4) Nucleus Accumbens -> (D) Controls Motor Function and Pleasure Center

Which type of depressant is known as tranquilizers, and is used to induce sleep or reduce anxiety, however is often not prescribed because of negative side effects such as reduced memory, judgement, concentration and addiction? (A) Barbiturates (B) Benzodiazepines (C) Alcohol (D) Marijuana

(A) Barbiturates Barbiturates are known as tranquilizers, and are used to induce sleep or reduce anxiety, however are often not prescribed because of negative side effects such as reduced memory, judgement, concentration and addiction

The "Invisible Gorilla" is a famous experiment where watchers are asked to track a ball in a film, and more than half will miss a gorilla walking across the screen! This experiment best demonstrates which principle? (A) Inattentional blindness (B) Change blindness (C) Intentional blindness (D) Momentary blindness

(A) Inattentional blindness

Which type of depressant is the most commonly prescribed suppressant that is used to treat insomnia, anxiety and seizures, acting as an anticonvulsant? (A) Barbiturates (B) Benzodiazepines (C) Alcohol (D) Marijuana

(B) Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed depressant and is used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and seizures, acting as an anticonvulsant.

In one experiment, a man will ask someone on a busy street for directions. Some interruption will distract the direction giver, and the asker will be replaced by a different person, and most direction givers won't notice. This experiment best demonstrates which principle? (A) Inattentional blindness (B) Change blindness (C) Intentional blindness (D) Momentary blindness

(B) Change blindness Change blindness is failing to notice changes between a previous and current state

Imagine a Great Gatsby-sized party. Through all of those voices, you can focus on the one you are conversing with until you hear your name from across the room, switching your attention. What does this scenario best demonstrate? (A) Primacy Effect (B) Cocktail Party Effect (C) Descriptivist Theory of Names (D) Change Blindness

(B) Cocktail Party Effect

Of the four main classes of psychoactive drugs, which class is known for exciting the Central Nervous System, increasing one's Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, awareness, and energy? (A) Depressants (B) Stimulants (C) Hallucinogens (D) Opiates/Opioids

(B) Stimulants Stimulants are the class of psychoactive drugs known for exciting the Central Nervous System, increasing one's Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, awareness, and energy.

Of the four main classes of psychoactive drugs, which class is referred to as psychedelics? This class is known for causing distorted perception in its users, such as heightened sensations, mood swings and increased/decreased energy, however their exact effect is different for each individual personality? (A) Depressants (B) Stimulants (C) Hallucinogens (D) Opiates/Opioids

(C) Hallucinogens Hallucinogens are referred to as psychedelics and known for causing distorted perception in its users such as heightened sensations, mood swings and increased/decreased energy, however the exact effect is different for each individual personality. Examples: LSD, psilocybin (mushrooms), PCP

Of the four main classes of drugs, which class has the lowest risk of dependence? (A) Depressants (B) Stimulants (C) Hallucinogens (D) Opiates/Opioids

(C) Hallucinogens Hallucinogens have the lowest risk of dependence because they are not addictive.

Which of the following system(s) are stimulated by alcohol consumption? I. GABA II. Dopamine III. Serotonin (A) I only (B) II only (C) I and II only (D) I, II and III

(C) I and II only The GABA and Dopamine systems are affected by alcohol consumption. GABA is associated with reduced anxiety, whereas Dopamine is associated with the minor euphoria.

Which of the following types of tasks is most likely to be able to be done with divided attention? (A) Controlled Processing (B) Effortful processing (C) Complex tasks (D) Automatic Processing

(D) Automatic Processing A task using Automatic Processing is familiar or routine, so this could be done with divided attention.

Which of the following areas of the brain is most involved in developing addictions? (A) Amygdala (B) Prefrontal Cortex (C) Hippocampus (D) Nucleus Accumbens

(D) Nucleus Accumbens As the pleasure center of the brain, the Nucleus Accumbens' dopaminergic pathway is most involved in developing addictons.

Of the four main classes of drugs, which class is known to decrease Central Nervous System function, decrease Heart Rate and Blood Pressure, cause relaxation and also act as an analgesic, reducing the perception of pain? (A) Depressants (B) Stimulants (C) Hallucinogens (D) Opiates/Opioids

(D) Opiates/Opioids Opiates/Opioids are known to decrease Central Nervous System function, decrease Heart Rate and Blood Pressure, cause relaxation and also act as an analgesic, reducing the perception of pain. Ex: Morphine, heroine, codine

How is attention split between multiple tasks, and why does this make multi-tasking less effective?

Attention is not actually split between two tasks simultaneously, but rather only focuses on one at a time. These gaps in attending to each task makes multitasking ineffective.

Compare the Visuospatial Sketchpad and Phonological Loop.

Both the Visuospatial Sketchpad and Phonological Loop are components of the Working Memory theory. The Visuospatial Sketchapd uses mental images, whereas the phonological loop allows one to repeat verbal information to keep remembering it.

Benzodiazepines, often shortened to "Benzos", can be prescribed for conditions from insomnia to anxiety. If their mechanism is opening chloride channels, how does "Benzos" repress insomnia and anxiety?

By opening chloride channels, neurons will become hyperpolarized as the negative charge rushes in, decreasing neuronal firing rate, which results in relaxation.

When you experience pleasure, the common neurotransmitter that the brain releases is ____________, which is produced in the _______________ of the midbrain. (A) Serotonin, Pons (B) Dopamine, Limbic System (C) Dopamine, Ventral Tegmental Area (D) Serotonin, Ventral Tegmental Area

C) Dopamine, Ventral Tegmental Area When you experience pleasure, the common neurotransmitter that the brain releases is dopamine, which is produced in the Ventral Tegmental Area of the midbrain.

How do depressants work on the receptors?

Depressants enhance GABA receptors.

What are depressants?

Drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions. Depressants cause relaxation by reducing nervous system activity. Alcohol is the most commonly used depressant. It works by stimulating the production of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter associated with reduced anxiety, and dopamine, which promotes euphoria. Alcohol slows the activity of the frontal lobe, reducing judgment and lowering inhibitions. While drinking, people can become unable to recognize the consequences of their actions, and their speech may be slurred and motor skills diminished.

What are stimulants?

Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, cocaine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions such as heart rate and BP. Stimulants increase arousal in the nervous system, often through the release and inhibition of the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. This effectively increases arousal, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, and creating effects of anxiety, delusions of grandeur, euphoria, hypervigilance, and decreased appetite.

Compare Exogenous vs. Endogenous Cues.

Exogenous cues are external to our goals, will capture attention anyways (loud noise). Endogenous cues are more internalized and require higher order thought (seeing an arrow and knowing it means to look/go that direction).

What are hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens are psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input, and cause introspection. These drugs distort moods, thoughts, and senses, all while increasing heart rate and blood pressure, increasing body temperature, and dilating the pupils. Examples: ecstasy, LSD, ketamine

By what mechanism does MDMA (ecstasy) function as both a stimulant and hallucinogen?

MDMA can increase both dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, leading to increased CNS and heart activity. The extreme increase in serotonin can also lead to hallucinations and damaged serotonin neurons.

What class of drugs does marijuana fit in?

Marijuana has qualities of a stimulant, depressant, and hallucinogen. Marijuana, which is the name used for the leaves and flowers of the plants Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, has an active chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which affects certain receptors in the brain. Additionally, THC increases the production of GABA and dopamine. Physiologically, THC can cause an increase in appetite, dry mouth, fatigue, eye redness, lowered blood pressure, and increased heart rate.

While referred to as the same class of psychoactive drugs, what is the small distinction between Opiates and Opioids?

Opiates are natural varieties of the drug, while Opioids are synthetic varieties of the drug.

What are opiates?

Opiates can slow and depress the nervous system and therefore reduce a person's anxiety, elevate their mood and lower their sensitivity to pain. Opiates are derived from the poppy plant and cause a sense of euphoria and a decreased reaction to pain by binding to opioid receptors in the nervous system. Opiate overdose can cause death when the brain stops sending signals for respiration. After prolonged use, these drugs can cause the brain to entirely stop producing endorphins, meaning that withdrawal is very painful. Examples of opiates include: morphine, codeine, opium, heroin, and morphine.

How do opiates work on the receptors?

Opiates stimulate endorphin receptors

Rank the following in terms of the fastest route of drug entry? slowest? Oral Inhalation Injection

Oral (slow) < Inhalation < Injection (fastest)

True or False? When experiencing pleasure, the Ventral Tegmental Area sends dopamine to the Amygdala, Nucleus Accumbens, Prefrontal Cortex, and the Hippocampus.

True. When experiencing pleasure, the Ventral Tegmental Area sends dopamine to the Amygdala, Nucleus Accumbens, Prefrontal Cortex, and the Hippocampus.

How does priming affect selective attention?

We attend to information we have been primed for, even if not consciously thought about. For example, after eating, you would be primed to recognize food words in a word scramble.

What is the role of the amygdala?

emotional control and memory consolidation