Chapter 4: Major classifications of drugs

Amphetamines

Amphetamines are "uppers" or stimulant drugs that boost energy, help people stay awake, or lose weight.

The effects of Marijuana on the brain

Marijuana disrupts the membranes of neurons and affects the functioning of a variety of neurotransmitters and hormones.

Marijuana

Marijuana is the dried leaf and flowers of hemp plant called cannabis sativa.

The psychological effects of marijuana

The psychological effects of marijuana are a mixture of excitatory, depressive, and mildly hallucinatory. Marijuana gives a distorted perception of time and place, as well as an increased sensitivity to sounds, tastes, smells, colors. Erratic verbal behavior is common.

Alcohol

Alcohol acts primarily as a depressant and slows down brain functions. People "loosen up" because the brain area involved in judgement slows down. Weight, the amount of alcohol consumed, metabolism, and gender determine alcohol's effect on the person. Women are more effected than men.

Types of depressant drugs

Alcohol, Barbiturates, Tranquilizers, and Opiates

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are depressant drugs such as Nembutal and Seconal, that decrease central nervous system activity. They can cause death when combined with alcohol and when taken in heavy doses.

Caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug. It boosts energy and alertness.

Caffeinism

Caffenism is the over indulgence of caffeine - 5 or more cups of coffee a day. Produces mood changes, anxiety, sleep disruption, insomnia, irritability, headaches, ringing in ears, dry mouth, increased blood pressure and digestive issues. Effects brains pleasure centers, so difficult to stop.

Major classifications of drugs

Depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens

The physical effects of LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide

Dizziness, nausea, tremors, mood swings, impaired memory common.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are psychoactive drugs that modify a person's perceptual experiences and produce visual images that are not real.

Nicotine

Highly addictive and stimulates brains reward centers and increases dopamine. Improves attention and alertness and also reduces anger and pain. The first cigarette of the day gives more pleasure than the last one. . The withdrawal effects are very difficult. Nicotine causes death.

MDMA or Ecstasy

Illegal stimulant, and hallucinogenic. Tend to feel "warm bonds" with others while on it. Depletes the brain of neurotransmitters, producing feelings of listlessness that lasts for days afterwards. Impairs memory and cognitive processing. Negative effects can last two years.

LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide

LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide is a hallucinogen that even in low doses produces striking perceptual changes.

The psychological effects of LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide

Objects change shape and glow. Colors become kaleidoscopic. Images are sometimes pleasurable and sometimes grotesque. LSD make hours and even days seem like minutes. LSD can cause extreme anxiety, suicide and homicide.

Opiates

Opiates are depressant drugs from opium and its derivatives. They are narcotic drugs that depress activity in the central nervous system and eliminate pain.

The physical effects of marijuana

Physical effects of marijuana are increased pulse rate and blood pressure, reddening of eyes, coughing, and dry mouth.

Definition of depressants

Psychoactive drugs that slow down mental and physical activity

Crystal Methamphetamine or METH

Smoked, injected, or swallowed. Causes powerful feeling of euphoria. Made from battery acid, cold medicine, drain cleaner, and kitty litter. Releases huge amounts of dopamine Extreme high followed by severe "come down". One dose causes damage brain permanently

Cocaine

Stimulant and illegal drug that comes from coco plant. Snorted or injected Floods the blood stream and depletes the brain's supply of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, Agitated/depressed mood follows. Crack is a form of cocaine as crystals that are smoked.

Stimulants

Stimulants are psychoactive drugs, including caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine that increase the central nervous system activity.

Tranquilizers

Tranquilizers are depressant drugs such as valium and Xanax that in small doses reduce anxiety and induce relaxation. In large doses, they can lead to drowsiness and confusion.