Download DRUGS - INDUCED CONSCIOUSNESS

DRUGS - INDUCED CONSCIOUSNESS
Psychoactive drugs are chemical
substances that affect the brain functioning,
causing changes in behavior, mood and
consciousness. While these drugs can be
used therapeutically to treat both physical and
psychological disorders, they are also used
recreationally to alter mood, perceptions
and consciousness.
We will divide the drugs into 5
categories, depending upon their effects on
the mind and body: depressants, narcotics,
tranquilizers, stimulants and hallucinogens.
The effects of some of these drugs
can cause addiction, a physical dependence
on a drug. Addicts have no control over their
bodies´ need for the drug, feel compelled to
seek it, and can suffer severe physical pain if
they don’t get it
1. Depressants
Depressants or sedatives are drugs that inhibit the function of the central nervous system
and are among the most widely used drugs in the world. Drugs that are classed as depressants
include alcohol, barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
These drugs operate by affecting neurons in the CNS, which leads to symptoms such as
drowsiness, relaxation, decreased inhibition, anesthesia, sleep, coma, and even death. All
depressants also have the potential to be addictive.
Alcohol - While alcohol is a legal drug, it also has a high potential for abuse, which has
high social costs. By using alcohol reaction time slows, and coordination and judgment are
impaired. Some drinkers become aggressive and violent. Alcohol is abuse, and alcoholism, or
addiction to alcohol, is a major problem in the United States. The effects of alcohol abuse are
great: hypertension, liver damage, and even brain damage are just some of the physical affects,
the psychological toll is great, too, with alcoholism being cited as a factor in many divorces and
lost jobs.
Barbiturates - Barbiturates or „sleeping pills“ are a type of CNS depressant that causes
euphoria and relaxation when taken in low doses. During the early half of the 1900s, barbiturates
were viewed as a safe depressant, but problems with addiction and deadly overdoses soon
became apparent. Barbiturates have a dramatic impact on sleep patterns, resulting in suppressed
REM sleep. Because the potential for addiction and misuse is so high, barbiturates are commonly
replaced with benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines - Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep
disorders. Because of their low toxicity and high effectiveness, benzodiazepines have been
popularly used as a short-term treatment for anxiety problems and insomnia. However, their
potential for dependency makes them a less preferred long-term treatment for such things as
generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, and panic disorders
2. Stimulants
Stimulants are a class of psychoactive drug that tend to increase activity in the brain.
These drugs can temporarily elevate alertness, mood and awareness. While some stimulant
drugs are legal and widely used, all can be addicting. Drugs that are classed as stimulants
include caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines and some prescription drugs. Caffeine,
a common stimulant, is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and in some soft drinks and
nonprescription medicines. Most dangerous are amphetamines and cocaine. Amphetamines
make users feel invincible and energetic. Greater doses, however, cause irritability, anxiety,
paranoid fears, and auditory hallucinations. Cocaine initially causes euphoria and increases
confidence, but continued use produces frightening hallucinations.
3. Hallucinogens
Psychedelic drugs, or hallucinogens, are psychoactive drugs that affect thinking, alter
moods and distort perceptions. Drugs that are classed as psychedelics include marijuana, LSD,
psilocybin (derived from a type of mushroom) and mescaline (found in the peyote cactus). The
using of hallucinogens makes physiological changes, blood pressure increases, the pupils dilate
and body temperature rises. The users experience little or no fatigue and can go for long periods
without sleep.
Marijuana – marijuana is the most used hallucinogen. It is taken from plant cannabis
sativa. Its effects vary from person to person and seem to depend upon the mood of the smoker
prior to smoking and the environment in which it is smoked. There are several negative effects of
marijuana which you should be aware of. Recent studies indicate, for example, that the active
ingredient, THC, accumulates in the tissues of the body. High levels of THC impair concentration
and interfere with short-term memory processes. Prolonged psychological effects can include
psychotic reactions, personality changes, and changes in life style.
LSD – LSD is synthetic and it has to do with firing of nerves. It is thought that LSD
interferes with this function, producing a range of behavior changes from intense excitement and
heightened sensations to depression, fear, and in some instances, psychotic reactions. It
becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish among past, present, and future. The user sometimes
needs other people to help monitor what is inside and what is outside „self“. Depending on
dosage, acute effects can last from four to eight hours.
4. Narcotics
Narcotic drugs, which include opium, morphine, and heroine, act on the CNS and can be
used medically to ease pain. The user becomes emotionally detached from pain, and a sense of
general well-being occurs. But these drugs are also powerfully addictive. The body becomes
dependent upon them for its normal functioning, and larger and larger doses are required to
produce the same effect. Withdrawal symptoms are acute, and death from overdose occurs
frequently.
5. Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers, like librium, vallium, etc., are prescription drugs that calm anxieties and
tensions. Users perceive anxiety-producing events but remain emotionally detached from them.
For this reason, tranquilizers can be destructive to psychological health if used for a prolongs
length of time. They tend to alter reality in our minds instead of allowing us to use our minds to
alter the unpleasant reality in our lives. Long-term use can result in lack of coordination, memory
loss, and impaired judgment.