7.2- drugs
what is amphetamine psychosis?
-a loss of contact with reality - paranoid delusions that someone is out to get them
what are the effects of cocaine
-alertness -euphoria -well-being -power -boundless energy -pleasure (effects only last 15-30 min) -increases the chemical messengers dopamine and noradrenaline
cocaine withdrawl
-causes depression -crash of mood and energy -few days : long period of fatigue, anxiety, paranoia, boredom, and anhedonia (an inablity to feel pleasure)
what is MDMA (ecstacy) ?
-chemically similar to amphetamine -rush of energy makes you feel closer to others and heightens sensory experiences -causes brain cells to release extra amounts of seratonin
after amphetamine binge, people suffer from
-crippling fatigue -depression -confusion -uncontrolled irritability -uncontrolled agression
side effects of ecstacy
-dialated pupils -jaw clenching -loss of appetite -elevated body temperature -diminishing sexual performance -liver damage -brain cell damage leading to feelings of anxiety/depression
frequent abuse of caffeine
-encourages the growth of breast cysts in women
causes of death by ecstacy
-hyperthermina (elevated body temp) -heart arrhytmias
large doses of amphetamine can cause
-nausea -vomiting -extremely high blood pressure -fatal heart attacks -disabling strokes
cocaine abuse
-one of the most dangerous drugs of abuse -even casual or first time users risk having convulsions, a heart attack, or a stroke
amphetamine abuse
-people use to stay awake -can rapidly produce a drug tolerance -violent criminal subculture
side effects of caffiene
-sweating -talkativeness -tinnitus (ringing in ears) -hand tremors -supresses feelings of fatigue or drowsiness -increases feelings of alertness
what are the two reasons for the development of tolerance?
1. functional tolerance (change in synaptic receptors) 2. metabolic tolerance (liver adapts)
what is a drug antagonist?
a drug that blocks the action of a particular neurotransmitter
what is a drug agonist?
a drug that mimics the action of a particular neurotransmitter, enhancing its normal effects
what is cocaine?
a powerful central nervous system stimulant
what is a psychoactive drug?
a substance capable of altering attention, judgement, memory, time, sense, self-control, emotion, or perception.
what is a depressant?
a substance that decreases activity in the body and nervous system
what is a stimulant ?
a substance that increases activity in the body and nervous system.
intensive drug use
daily use with elements of dependence
how do drugs influence the activity of brain cells?
drugs imitate or alter neurotransmitters, the chemicals that carry messages between brain cells
compulsive drug use
intensive and extreme dependence
social-recreational drug use
occasional social use for pleasure or relaxation
what is physical dependence?
physical addiction ; when a person compulsively uses a drug to maintain bodily comfort
experimental drug use
short term use based on curiosity
caffiene
stimulates the brain by blocking chemicals that normally slow brain activity
what are amphetamines?
synthetic stimulants
what are the three phases of drug effects?
the administration phase, the active phase, and the metabolism phase
what is drug tolerance?
the decreasing effectiveness of a psychoactive drug that occurs with repeated use
what are the main ways drugs get into our bloodstream?
through ingestion, inhalation, absorption or injection
what are the medical uses of amphetamines?
treat narcolepsy, childhood hyperactivity and overdoses on depressant drugs
situational drug use
use to cope with a specific problem
what is psychological dependence?
when a person believes that a drug is necessary to maintain feelings of comfort or well-being
