Download Psychoactive Drugs

I CAN:
• Distinguish the properties of the 4 categories
of drugs
• Define dependence, tolerance, addiction and
withdrawal
Psychoactive Drug States
• Psychoactive Drugs
• Chemicals that affect mental processes and
behavior by their effects on the nervous
system resulting in temporary changes in
perception, mood, consciousness and
behavior
Hallucinogens
Opiates
Depressants
Stimulants
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Hallucinogens
• Alter perceptions of the external
environment and inner awareness
• Ummm… Make you Hallucinate!! DUH!
(also called psychedelics)
• Mescaline
• LSD
• PCP
• Cannabis
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
• Increased chance of
the development of
psychotic illnesses
(such as schizophrenia)
later in life
• Greater risk of
depression and
psychosis
• Drastically reduces
sperm production in
males
Effects of Marijuana Use
• On average causes a four-point
drop in intelligence.
• Problems with learning
• Trouble with problem-solving
• High doses of marijuana can
cause hallucinations and
delusions.
• THC found in marijuana
impairs the body’s immune
system
Opiates
• Drugs containing or derived from opium
• Highly addictive; produce a sense of wellbeing and have strong pain-relieving
properties
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Heroin
• Methadone
• Oxycontin
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Heroin Addict
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Opiates
• Good analgesic (pain relieving) properties due
to their similarity to the body’s natural pain
relieving chemicals… endorphins
• Runners high
Acupuncture
Cutting
Despite the euphoric feelings they produce,
there is no major changes in cognitive abilities
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Depressants
• Slow down mental and physical
activity by inhibiting transmission of
nerve impulses in the central nervous
system
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
(e.g. Valium)
• Alcohol
Depressants ‘depress’ the central nervous
system
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•
The
benzodiazepine
family
Act by enhancing the
effects of gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA)
in the brain.
• GABA is a neurotransmitter
(a chemical that nerve cells
use to communicate with
each other) that inhibits
brain activity.
•Klonopin: An anti-anxiety
medication
•Valium
•Xanax
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•Ativan
Stimulants
• Arouse the central nervous
system, speeding up mental and
physical responses
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines
• Methamphetamine
• MDMA (ecstasy)
• Caffeine
• Nicotine
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Nicotine
• Has the largest impact on
health than all the other
psychoactive drugs
combined
• Slight use may enhance
learning and memory
• Also appears to interfere
with development of
Kaposi's sarcoma, breast
cancer (among women
carrying the very high risk
BRCA gene), and disorders
such as allergic asthma
• Evidence also suggests that
the risks of Parkinson's or
Alzheimer's might be twice
as high for non-smokers
than for smokers
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Dependence and Addiction
• Tolerance:
• The reduced effectiveness of a drug after
repeated uses
• Physical Dependence
• The process where the body adjusts to
and needs a drug for everyday functioning
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• Addiction
• Continued use of a drug in spite of adverse
health effects
• Withdrawal
•
Painful physical symptoms and cravings
experienced when a drug that causes physical
dependence is regularly used for a long time and
then suddenly discontinued or decreased in
dosage.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
• Psychological Dependence
• A desire for a drug even though there is no
physical dependence
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Spiders on Drugs
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
CAN I?
• Distinguish the properties of the 4 categories
of drugs
• Define dependence, tolerance, addiction and
withdrawal