Download Psychoactive Drugs - Hinsdale Central High School

Psychoactive Drugs
Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa)
Active Ingredient = THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
Short-Term Effects
Slowed thinking
Distorted sense of time and space
Loss of balance and coordination
Increased appetite
Anxiety
Short Term Memory
Long-Term Effects
Effects Central Nervous System
Respiratory problems = lung cancer
Loss of ability to add to long term memory
Medical usage = Glaucoma, nausea in cancer, relieves pain in MS
patients.
Stored in fatty tissue for several weeks. Detect in urine = 27 days
Narcotics
• Opiates – Unripened seeds of the poppy
flower. Kill pain, suppress coughs and
relax => VERY ADDICTIVE
• Morphine = pain killer
• Codeine = cough suppressant
• Methadone = used to ‘ease’ heroin addicts
to avoid withdrawal
Narcotics (cont.)
• Heroin (smack, horse)
• Short term effects =
mental confusion, low BP,
decrease in HR, low body
temp., respiratory
depression
• Long term = constipation,
diminished fertility, mood
swings
• Easy to OVERDOSE
Stimulants
•
Amphetamines (speed, bennies, uppers) = Speeds up the CNS. Medically used to reduce
appetite and treat nervous disorder.
– Effects = Gives a “rush”, headache, diarrhea, sweating. Also makes you mistrustful.
– Overdose = convulsions, coma, death.
Methamphetamine (crystal, ice, meth) = An illegal member of the Amphetamine family. The
yellowish crystals are crushed and smoked, injected, or inhaled. The effects last for hours.
Effects = euphoria, loss of appetite, increased alertness, hyperactivity. Extremely addictive!
Dangers = permanent brain damage, kidney and liver damage.
Cocaine (snow, rock) = comes from the coca plant. As a paste it can be smoked. As a white
powder is can be snorted, smoked, or eaten. As a rock, it is smoked. It speeds up the CNS,
especially the pleasure center and may cause a loss of knowing reality. An overdose will
bring on a stroke or heart attack. Physically and psychologically dependent.
Depressants
• Depressants, in general, slow the function of the CNS and have
effects similar to drinking alcohol. When used in combination with
alcohol, the effects are increased. An overdose may cause a person
to stop breathing.
• Rohypnol (roofies) – A powerful hypnotic drug which is used as a
date-rape drug. It easily dissolves into drinks without a noticeable
taste.
• DMX (dextromethorphan) = Used in prescription cough syrup. In
higher doses, the user feels “spacey”.
Inhalants
•
Inhalants = gasses that are inhaled from various products including paint, glue,
propane, and nitrous oxide.
•
Short term Effects = Similar to alcohol. Dizziness, loss of inhibitions, loss of
coordination.
Long term Effects = Liver, lung, and kidneys. Tremors, coordination, speech, walking.
•
•
Damage
– Killing massive numbers of brain cells is the major issue
– May damage other organs
– Can cause sudden death
Club Drugs
•
Ecstasy – MDMA
– (mthylenedioxymethampetamine)
– Effects – Stimulant and hallucinogen
– Side Effects = muscle tension, rapid heart heat, impaired memory, high blood pressure,
possible heart attack, possible heat stroke because the ability to control body temperature is
decreased.
GHB (Gamma Hydroxbutyrate) – clear liquid or white powder. Used as a rape drug.
Effects – Euphoria, relaxation, dizziness, loss of inhibitions, Higher doses cause of loss of
memory, respiratory problems, seizures, coma, and death.
Ketamine, also known as ‘Special K’.
Effects = hallucinations, numbness, inability to move, loss of memory, and dissociation.
Often used as a rape drug.
PCP, also called Angel Dust.
Effects = mild euphoria, distortion of reality, psychotic behavior. Suicide and accidental death
are common as are seizures and coma. The effects last a few hours to several days.
Hallucinogens
•
LSD (Acid) = Made from a grain fungus.
– Method = Usually a small square of paper placed in the mouth.
– Effect – Rise in blood pressure, chills, fever, trembling, and confusion of the
senses.
– Sometimes users panic when they can’t stop the trip.
– Flashbacks = LSD is fat soluble and flashbacks may occur.
– Addiction = the psychological desire to continue using is overwhelming.
Psilocybin (mushrooms) – Eaten.
Effects = cramps, sweating, vomiting, followed by a trip.
PCP – talked about earlier….can also be a hallucinogen.