Psychology: Psychoactive Drugs

What are depressants' accompanied with?

-Euphoria -depressing effects -tolerance -withdrawal symptoms

REVIEW: Effects of LSD and Marijuana.

-LSD creates vivid hallucinations and strong emotions. -Marijuana creates mild hallucinations, enhanced sensory experiences, and impaired judgment.

What do opiates cause?

Drowsiness and euphoria associated with elevated endorphin levels.

What is drug action severity?

Experiences tolerance (needing more substance for the desired effect). Experiences withdrawal when attempting to end use.

What is the blood-brain barrier?

The brain is usually protected from harmful chemicals in the bloodstream by thicker walls surrounding the brain's blood vessels.

What is the result of psychoactive drugs causing a build up, or supplying a specific neurotransmitter?

The brain will produce less of a specific neurotransmitter since it is already present.

What does tolerance eventually lead to?

Withdrawal

addiction define

compulsive craving of drugs or certain behaviors (such as gambling) despite known adverse consequences

substance use disorder define

continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

What is an antagonist drug?

A drug that blocks neurotransmitters and fit into receptor sites of a neuron to prevent the natural neurotransmitter from using the receptor site.

What is risky use severity?

Continues use despite hazards. Continues use despite worsening physical or psychological problems.

Ecstasy (MDMA) adverse effects

Dehydration, overheating, depressed mood, impaired cognitive and immune functioning

heroin adverse effects

Depressed physiology, agonizing withdrawal

alcohol adverse effects

Depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions

Ecstasy (MDMA) pleasurable effects

Emotional elevation, disinhibition

marijuana pleasurable effects

Enhanced sensation, relief of pain, distortion of time, relaxation

methamphetamine pleasurable effects

Euphoria, alertness, energy

Caffeine pleasurable effects

Increased alertness and wakefulness

Common hallucinogens

LSD, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana

How does the inhibition due to depressants of different brain regions cause behavior changes?

When enough alcohol is ingested to affect the cerebellum, our motor coordination is dramatically affected, eventually making it difficult of impossible for the user to even stand.

nicotine define

a stimulating and highly addictive psychoactive drug in tobacco

Common depressants

alcohol, barbiturates, anxiolytics (tranquillizers/antianxiety drugs- Valium)

Alcohol Type

depressant

THC

the major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations.

Common stimulants

caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine

alcohol use disorder

(popularly known as alcoholism). Alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use.

REVIEW: What are depressants, and their effects?

+ Depressants, such as alcohol, barbiturates, and the opiates (which include narcotics), dampen neural activity and slow body functions. + Alcohol tends to disinhibit, increasing the likelihood that we will act on our impulses, whether harmful or helpful. It also impairs judgment, disrupts memory processes by suppressing REM sleep, and reduces self-awareness and self-control. + User expectations strongly influence alcohol's behavioral effects.

REVIEW: What are hallucinogens, and what are their effects?

+ Hallucinogens—such as LSD and marijuana—distort perceptions and evoke hallucinations—sensory images in the absence of sensory input. The user's mood and expectations influence the effects of LSD, but common experiences are hallucinations and emotions varying from euphoria to panic. + Marijuana's main ingredient, THC, may trigger feelings of disinhibition, euphoria, relaxation, relief from pain, and intense sensitivity to sensory stimuli. It may also increase feelings of depression or anxiety, impair motor coordination and reaction time, disrupt memory formation, and damage lung tissue (because of the inhaled smoke).

REVIEW: What are stimulants, and what are their effects?

+ Stimulants—including caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, the amphetamines, methamphetamine, and Ecstasy—excite neural activity and speed up body functions, triggering energy and mood changes. All are highly addictive. + Nicotine's effects make smoking a difficult habit to kick, yet the percentage of Americans who smoke has been dramatically decreasing. + Cocaine gives users a fast high, followed within an hour by a crash. Its risks include cardiovascular stress and suspiciousness. + Use of methamphetamines may permanently reduce dopamine production. + Ecstasy (MDMA) is a combined stimulant and mild hallucinogen that produces euphoria and feelings of intimacy. Its users risk immune system suppression, permanent damage to mood and memory, and (if taken during physical activity) dehydration and escalating body temperatures.

REVIEW: What are substance use disorders, and what role do tolerance, withdrawal, and addition play in these disorders?

+ Those with a substance use disorder may exhibit impaired control, social disruption, risky behavior, and the physical effects of tolerance and withdrawal. + Psychoactive drugs alter perceptions and moods. + These drugs may produce tolerance—requiring larger doses to achieve the desired effect—and withdrawal—significant discomfort accompanying efforts to quit. + Addiction is compulsive craving and use of drugs or certain behaviors (such as gambling) despite known adverse consequences.

What do depressants do?

-slow down the same body systems that stimulants speed up (lower processing speed) -depress central nervous system (CNS) -decrease level or arousal or stimulation in parts of the brain -lower blood pressure, slower breathing -affects the cerebellum and motor coordination (lack of coordination) -disrupt memory -reduce self-awareness and self-control (can have expectancy effects)

What do stimulants produce?

-tolerance -withdrawal effects -other side effects (disturbed sleep, reduced appetite, increased anxiety, heart problems) *greater or lesser degree corresponds with power of drug)

What is mild substance disorder?

2-3 symptoms

What is moderate substance disorder?

4-5 symptoms

What is severe substance disorder?

6+ symptoms

When is drug use a disorder?

A person may be diagnosed with substance use disorder when drug use continues despite significant life disruption. Results in changes in the brain circuits persisting despite quitting use of substance (strong cravings when exposed to people and situations that triggers memories of drug use)

What are stimulants' dramatic increase accompanied with?

A sense of euphoria (more powerful ones like cocaine produces an extreme euphoric rush)

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Which of the following drugs produces effects similar to a near-death experience? A. Ecstasy B. Nicotine C. Barbiturate D. Methamphetamine E. LSD

A. Ecstasy

What do opiates do?

Act as agonists for endorphins and thus are powerful painkillers and mood elevators, slow down CNS, slow down heart and blood pressure, and are analgesic (reduce perception of pain).

What is the most commonly used used depressant and psychoactive drug?

Alcohol

Why is there more research done for alcohol in comparison to any other psychoactive drug?

Alcohol is the most widespread

REVIEW: 3 of the most widely use psychoactive drugs

Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine (legal for large segments of the population)

What is the difference between agonist drugs and antagonist drugs?

Antagonist do not act like the neurotransmitter like agonists, they block neurotransmitters from using the receptor sites.

caffeine adverse effects

Anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia in high doses; uncomfortable withdrawal

nicotine pleasurable effects

Arousal and relaxation, sense of well-being

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Which of the following drugs is classified as an opiate? A. Nicotine B. Marijuana C. Heroin D. Methamphetamine E. Cocaine

C. Heroin

cocaine adverse effects

Cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash

What do hallucinogens do?

Cause changes (distorts) in perceptions of reality, including sensory hallucinations and increased sensations, loss of identity and vivid fantasies.

Which of the following statements is true of alcohol? A. Alcohol is a stimulant because it produces insomnia. B. Alcohol is a depressant because it produces bipolar disorder. C. Alcohol is a stimulant because people do foolish things while under its influence. D. Alcohol is a depressant because it calms neural activity and slows body function. E. Alcohol is a stimulant because it increases instances of casual sex.

D. Alcohol is a depressant because it calms neural activity and slows body function.

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Which of the following represents drug tolerance? A. Hans has grown to accept the fact that his wife likes to have a beer with her dinner, even though he personally does not approve of the use of alcohol. B. Jose often wakes up with a headache that lasts until he has his morning cup of coffee. C. Pierre enjoys the effect of marijuana and is now using the drug several times a week. D. Jacob had to increase the dosage of his pain medication when the old dosage no longer effectively controlled the pain from his chronic back condition. E. Chau lost his job and is now homeless as a result of his drug use.

D. Jacob had to increase the dosage of his pain medication when the old dosage no longer effectively controlled the pain from his chronic back condition.

Effects of what category of drug is less predictable?

Hallucinogens less predictable than stimulants or depressants

nicotine adverse effects

Heart disease, cancer

marijuana adverse effects

Impaired learning and memory, increased risk of psychological disorders, lung damage from smoke

What is reverse tolerance?

In hallucinogens- second dose may be less than the first, but the when added to the lingering amount, the effects are the same or greater.

alcohol pleasurable effects

Initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition

methamphetamine adverse effects

Irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures

How does tolerance occur?

It is a physiological change. People who take drugs will need to eventually take more of it to maintain the high level they felt when they first were exposed to it.

If we have a blood brain barrier, why can drugs still enter our bloodstream and affect our brains?

Molecules that make up psychoactive drugs are small enough to pass through the blood-brain barrier. They either mimic (agonist) or block (antagonist) neurotransmitters in the brain.

What differentiates opiates from depressants?

Opiates are analgesic, meaning they reduce perceptions of pain (depressants are not)

What are the most physically addictive drugs and why?

Opiates because they rapidly change the brain chemistry and create tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

Why is withdrawal an obstacle to stopping drug use?

People who take drugs are convinced they need to continue because they depend on it to perform or feel a certain way.

What is the difference between tolerance and withdrawal?

Person physically depends on a substance have a tolerance for the drug. Withdrawal is when people experience withdrawal symptoms without drugs and need the drugs to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

How can the placebo effect relate to drugs?

Psychoactive drugs change the chemistry of the brain and the body and induce an altered state of consciousness. People who think they ingested the drug will exhibit some expected effects of the drug, even if they did not take it.

cocaine pleasurable effects

Rush of euphoria, confidence, energy

heroin pleasurable effects

Rush of euphoria, relief from pain

What do stimulants do?

Speeds up body processes (excite CNS/body processes), including autonomic nervous system functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and respiration rate, increase alertness

What are the four common categories of psychoactive drugs?

Stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and opiates.

What does euphoric rush result in?

The user to feel extremely self-confident and invincible.

What is an agonist drug?

These drugs mimic neurotransmitters and fit in the receptor sites on the neuron that would normally receive the neurotransmitter and functions as the neurotransmitter usually would.

What do all psychoactive drugs have in common?

They all activate dopamine producing neurons in the brain's reward system and cause euphoria. Also change our consciousness through similar physiological process in the brain.

What do agonists, antagonists and other drugs have in common?

They alter the natural levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

How do hallucinogens differ from stimulants and depressants?

They do not necessarily speed up or slow down bodily processes, energy, or mood

Besides agonists and antagonists, what do other drugs that don't fit in those categories do?

They prevent natural neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed back into a neuron, creating and abundance of the neurotransmitter in the synapse.

What is social impairment severity?

Use disrupts obligations at work, school, or home. Continues use despite social problems. Use causes reduced social, recreational, and work activities.

What is impaired control severity?

Uses more substance, or for longer, than intended. Tries unsuccessfully to regulate substance use. Spends much time gaining, using, or recovering from substance use. Craves the substance.

psychoactive drug define

a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

cocaine define

a powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria.

LSD

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid (lysergic acid diethylamide).

methamphetamine define

a powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

a synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short-term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin-producing neurons and to mood and cognition.

near-death experience

an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death (such as by cardiac arrest); often similar to drug-induced hallucinations.

Heroin type

depressant (opiate)

depressants define

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

stimulants define

drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more powerful amphetamines, cocaine, Ecstasy, and methamphetamine) that excite neural activity and speed up body functions

barbiturates define

drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment

amphetamines define

drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes

Marijuana type

mild hallucinogen

What are the severity of substance disorder?

mild, moderate, severe

Common opiates

morphine, heroin, methadone, codeine

opiates define

opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; they depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety

Notable feature of hallucinogens

persistence: some amounts of this drug can stay in the body for weeks. If a person ingests hallucinogens again during this time, the new dose of chemical is added to the lingering amount, creating more profound and potentially dangerous effects

hallucinogens

psychedelic ("mind-manifesting") drugs, such as LSD, that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

Another term for hallucinogens

psychedelics

What do types of opiates have in common?

similar structure to opium (drug derived from poppy plant)

How does alcohol affect the brain?

slows down our reactions and judgement by slowing down brain processes

caffeine type

stimulant

cocaine type

stimulant

methamphetamine type

stimulant

nicotine type

stimulant

Ecstasy (MDMA) type

stimulant and mild hallucinogen

tolerance define

the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug's effect

withdrawal define

the discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

What is dopamine?

type of neurotransmitter that the body makes and the nervous system uses to send messages between nerve cells. Plays a role in how humans feel pleasure