Drugs8th grade Health

What are drugs? Drugs are substances that are used to treat

or prevent diseases. They are also used to relieve pains, to help control mental or physical ailments, and even to help diagnose illnesses.

Drug Vocab Tolerance

Body becomes accustomed to drug and causes the user to experience a need for more and more drug to achieve the desired effect or high.

Psychological Dependence A condition that occurs overtime and causes

user to believe that drug is needed in order to feel good or function normally.

Drug Vocab Physiological dependence

A user develops a chemical need for a drug. Symptoms of withdrawal occure when the effects of the drug wear off.

Symptoms can include nervousness, insomnia, headaches, vomiting, chills, and cramps.

Addiction A physiological or psychological dependence on

a drug.

Classification of Drugs Prescription Marijuana and THC Inhalants Steroids Psychoactive “Club Drugs” Stimulants Depressants

Marijuana and THC Marijuana is produced from the dried

leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. The active ingredient is THC

(tetrahydrocannabinol) A fat-soluble drug Produces psychoactive effects of Marijuana Fat-soluble means that the drug will be

distributed to those areas of the body with high fat content.

Marijuana and THC THC stays in the body for several weeks

Why? Fat soluble areas of the body are:

Brain Lungs Reproductive System

A person who uses marijuana may be under itseffects several days later, even though the

"high” has worn off.

Marijuana and THC How it’s used

Smoked, Ingested or Taken as a Pill When smoked much more THC enters the bloodstream

It’s used to achieve a state of calmness or euphoria. Almost all users report a change in how they perceive

time. Larger doses may produce anxiety and feelings of

paranoia. Short term effects

Increase heart rate, reddening of eyes, talkativeness and giddiness

Some users may become quiet or reflective

Marijuana and THC Medical uses of THC

when made synthetically; Lessen nausea associated with Chemotherapy Help people with AIDS regain appetite Used to treat glaucoma

Glaucoma is the build up of pressure on the eyeball.

Marijuana and THC Effects on the Brain

Increases level of dopamine Dopamine produces a pleasurable feeling.

THC works by binding to specific receptors in the brain called "cannabinoid receptors," which are located throughout the following brain structures:

Cerebellum Hippocampus Cerebral Cortex Limbic System

Marijuana and THC Effects on the Brain

Cerebellum By binding with the cannabinoid receptors THC interferes with the normal function of the

cerebellum, which controls balance, posture, and coordination.

Hippocampus THC activates cannibinoid receptors in the

hippocampus. effects memory by decreasing nerve cell activity in this area. Short-term

memory is the first to be affected.

Marijuana and THC Effects on the Brain

Cerebral Cortex THC affects areas in the cerebral cortex that are responsible

for sensory perception. Sense of taste, sight, smell, hearing, and touch may be

altered. Limbic System

THC produces changes in the limbic system ( governs) our emotions.

These changes, which are most evident during withdrawal from THC, are similar to those observed after long-term use of cocaine, heroin, and alcohol.

Inhalants Are substances whose fumes are sniffed or

inhaled to give effect. Types of inhalants

Prescribed Inhalants Used to treat allergies, asthma, and other medical

conditions. Solvents, Aerosols, Glues, Paints, Gasolines

These if used can cause brain damage.

Inhalants Effects on the body

Depress the central nervous system Immediate effects

Glassy stare, Slurred Speech, Impaired Judgment, Nausea, Coughing, nosebleeds, fatigue, and lack of coordination.

Can lead to permanent loss of Brain Damage Long Term effects

Liver and Kidney damage, Blindness, Brain damage, Paralysis, Cardiac Arrest and Death.

Inhalants All inhalants are extremely dangerous Many labeled as poisons Can be harmful even if you are not trying to abuse

them Can be accidentally inhaled when doing

household chores. When using inhalants work in well-ventilated room

and wear a mask when project requires long exposure to fumes.

Steroids Can be prescribed for medical purposes Anabolic- androgenic steroids

Synthetic substance similar to male sex hormones.

Anabolic refers to muscle building Androgenic refers to increased male

characteristics.

Steroids Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

Synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male anabolic hormone (testosterone).

Anabolic means “to build” Androgenic means “masculinizing”

Steroids Testosterone is the primary male hormone

responsible for the development of masculine traits Androgenic effect triggers the maturing of the

male reproductive system. Anabolic effect helps body retain protein which

aids in development of muscles

ANABOLIC PROPERTY LURES ATHLETES!

Steroids How it’s used

Can be taken orally or injected. Injected steroids are broken down into additional

categories Long-Lasting Short-Lasting

Water-soluble injections

Steroids Who takes steroids?

Athletes, Men are stereotypically associated with steroids

Anyone who uses desires to look, perform or feel better regardless of danger

Steroids Health Hazards

Transmitting or contracting HIV and Hepatitis B through needles.

Side effects can occur long after you stop using Megadosing – using more than one type of

steroid at a time Effects can be irreversible body damage.

Steroids Physical Side effects

Male Feminization effect Decrease in normal sexual function Reduced sperm count Impotence Development of Breasts Shrinking of Testicles Difficulty or pain while urinating

Steroids Women

Experience Masculinization effect Facial Hair Growth Deepened Voice Breast Reduction Menstrual Cycle Change

Steroids Both Genders

Acne Bloated Appearance Rapid Weight Gain Clotting Disorders Liver Damage Premature Heart Attacks and Strokes Elevated Cholesterol levels Weakened Tendons

Steroids

Special Dangers to adolescents Steroids close growth centers in a kid’s bones Once growth plates are closed they cannot

reopen So adolescents may end up shorter than they

should have been

Steroids Addictive

Long-time steroid users may experience addiction through:

Cravings Difficulty in stopping Withdrawal Symptoms

STEROIDS DO NOT HELP IMPROVE SKILL, AGILITY OR CARDIOVASCULAR CAPACITY!

Psychoactive Drugs Chemicals that affect the function of the

central nervous system and alter brain activity. Four main groups

Hallucinogens Opiates Stimulants Depressants

Psychoactive Drugs Some have medicinal value When misused and abused an individual’s

health is seriously affected. Effects on TEEN’’s developing brain and body

especially damaging

Psychoactive Drugs Consequences of psychoactive drugs

Poor judgement and behaviors Unintentional injuries Violence STDs Unintended pregnancy Suicide

Psychoactive Drugs Hallucinogens

category of drugs that affect the brain in such a way that a person’s perceptions -- meaning their sights, sounds, feelings, and how they judge time -- become very different and unreal.

Can cause changes with emotions, memory and judgement.

Psychoactive Drugs LSD (Hallucinogen)

Also known as acid, doses, trips, tabs, hits, sunshine, window pane, sugar cubes, microdot

is a very powerful drug made with a chemical found in a fungus -- that grows on grains.

Psychoactive Drugs LSD (Hallucinogen)

It was originally developed as a treatment for mental patients, but doctors soon learned that it was too unpredictable to be useful. In the 1960’s, many people took LSD because they believed the drug “expanded the mind.” LSD is usually found as pieces of thin paper sprayed with the drug, which are eaten, or in liquid or gelatin form.

Psychoactive Drugs - LSDSide Effects

Changes in personality and mood Mood swings Hallucinations Delusions Intense fear Confused senses, like “seeing sounds” and “hearing colors” Dilated pupils Increased body temperature Sweating Loss of appetite Sleeplessness Dry mouth Tremors

Psychoactive Drugs LSD (Hallucinogen)

Health Risks Increased heart rate and blood pressure Long lasting mental problems, like schizophrenia

or depression

Psychoactive Drugs LSD (Hallucinogen)

Problems with using Scary hallucinations can make people panic,

which can lead them into dangerous situations. LSD “flashbacks” are very common, with the

drug’s effects returning without warning from a few days to a year later.

Users develop tolerance, meaning that they eventually need more and more of the drug to get the same effect.

Psychoactive Drugs Opiates (Hallucinogen)

which means that it comes from a flower called the opium poppy.

Opiates are used in hospitals as painkillers for patients in serious pain from injury, surgery, or illness; morphine is another opiate that you might see used for medical purposes.

Psychoactive Drugs Heroin (Opiate)

is a brown or white powder that is sometimes snorted or smoked. Most of the time, users turn it into a liquid and inject the drug into their veins with a needle.

Psychoactive Drugs Heroin (Opiates)

Side effects Euphoria, a “rush” of well-being Reduced pain Dry mouth Droopy eyelids and smaller pupils Flushed skin Heavy arms and legs Slow thinking and movement Slow and slurred speech Periods of sleepiness, sometimes called “the nod” Vomiting Constipation Considered to be the MOST ADDICTIVE DRUG

Psychoactive Drugs Heroin (Opiates)

Health Risks Collapsed veins Heart infections Pneumonia Death from overdose

Psychoactive Drugs Heroin (opiate)

Problems with Using Heroin is one of the most physically addictive drugs in the

world, and breaking the addiction can be very difficult. Users develop tolerance, meaning that they eventually need

more and more of the drug to get the same effect. Because heroin can be expensive, users often turn to crime

to get drug money. Sharing needles can lead to infectious diseases, including

hepatitis and AIDS.

Psychoactive Drugs Heroin (Opiate)

Problems with using Quitting the drug or “kicking the habit” can lead to

bad withdrawal symptoms, including pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cold flashes, and an incredible craving to return to the drug.

Quitting suddenly, called “going cold turkey,” can lead to death in long-term addicts in bad health.