unit vii: states of consciousness: psychoactive drugs basic terms drug any substance that is...

Unit VII: States of Consciousness: Psychoactive drugs

Basic terms

DrugAny substance that is ingested that alters the body or the brain

Psychoactive drugDrug that alters perceptions, behavior, or mood


Basic termsTolerance• Over time, increased amount of drug needed

to produce same effect• “Build up tolerance” Neuroadaptation• Brain tries to counter disruption to normal

functioning caused by drug• What causes tolerance• More brain counters, more drug needed, more

brain counters


Basic terms

Addiction•State of dependency on a drugWithdrawal•Symptoms caused by stopping use of a drug•Usually highly uncomfortable, distressing, often painful


Basic termsPhysical dependence• Physiological need for drug• Usually drug mimics neurotransmitter, body

stops producing it • Usually painful withdrawal symptomsPsychological dependence• Psychological need for drug• Person believes can’t function without drugExamplesChapstick, hand sanitizer


BackgroundPsychoactive drugs categorized:•Medically•Specifically, how they affect the CNS


BackgroundFive Major categories 1.Depressants2.Stimulants3.Opioids / Opiates 4.Hallucinogens/psychedelic

drugs 5.Marijuana


Psychoactive drugsMy suggestion, make yourself a chart of the five

categories of drugs to help you keep the information in order, like what’s on page 301

For example:• Category• What they do• Effects• Examples


1) DepressantsWhat they do •Slows (depresses) neural activity •Mostly effects:•Frontal lobe•Hindbrain


1) DepressantsEffects on the nervous system & body

Afferent & efferent neurons, motor cortex all affected (slowed)•Slows reaction time


1) DepressantsEffects on the nervous system & body

Association areas in frontal lobe depressed •Impairs judgment•Impairs long-term planning•Lessens inhibitions•Reduces self-awareness


1) DepressantsEffects on the nervous system & bodyBroca’s area• Slurring of speechCerebellum• Balance, coordination problemsMedulla oblongata• Depresses automatic functions• Stop, if too much consumed• Heartbeat, breathing, ability to vomit


1) DepressantsEffects on memory• Doesn’t effect:• short-term recall• existing long-term memories

• Difficult to create long-term memoriesState dependent memory• Memories made while intoxicated – difficult to

remember sober• Able to remember next time in that state

(drunk)


1) DepressantsMajor depressants • Alcohol•Barbiturates•Anesthesia•Sleeping pills


1) DepressantsMajor depressants • Alcohol•Barbiturates•Anesthesia•Sleeping pills •Also known as “Downers”


1) DepressantsMajor depressants, continued

•Tranquilizers•AKA: Sedatives •Treat anxiety•Examples: Valium & Xanax


2) StimulantsWhat they do • Increase activity of CNSEffects on the nervous system & body•Heighten alertness• Increase energy•Speed up CNS/automatic functions•Can overtax/permanently damage these parts of the body


2) StimulantsEffects on the nervous system & body



•Many mimic effects of neurotransmitters



•Many mimic effects of neurotransmitters•Highly physically addictive



•Many mimic effects of neurotransmitters•Highly physically addictive•Tolerance built up quickly



•Many mimic effects of neurotransmitters•Highly physically addictive•Tolerance built up quickly •Makes withdrawal difficult


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants Amphetamines (Speed)•Synthetic stimulant•Has legitimate medical useMethamphetamine (meth)•More potent form of Amphetamines•No longer used medically •Solely recreational use


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants Cocaine• Derived from leaves of coca plant• Crack: concentrated formEcstasy • Methyenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)• Anything in large enough amounts is a

hallucinogen (i.e., stimulant)


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants Caffeine •Most popular drug in the world•Found in coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, etc.


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants Nicotine• Highly addictive• Found in tobacco• Mimics neurotransmitters:• Acetylcholine•Dopamine• Vasopressin: increases blood pressure


3) Opiods/Opiates What they are •Derived from alkaloids of resin of opium plant•Natural, synthetic, partially synthetic•Used as pain relief•Decreases perception & reaction to pain•Agonist: mimics endorphins


3) Opiods/Opiates What they are/effects

•Sometimes (incorrectly) put into the depressant category•Can depress bodily functions (respiratory functions, etc) •Different method than depressants


3) Opiods/Opiates What they are/effects

•Depressants slow hindbrain•Opioids depress respiratory function itself •Causes drowsiness


3) Opiods/Opiates Effects on the nervous system & body• Intense feeling of euphoria•Highly physically addictive•Tolerance builds up very quickly•More and more needed to prevent withdrawal•No longer produces euphoria, just maintaining level to function


3) Opiods/Opiates

Major opiods•Opium (natural)•Morphine (natural)•Codeine (natural)•Diacetylmorphine (heroin) (semi-synthetic)•Methadone (fully synthetic)


4) Hallucinogens/psychedelic drugs

What they are

•Distort perceptions•Cause heightened sensory alertness (colors seem brighter, sounds clearer, etc.) •Cause hallucinations



Addiction

•Not physically addicting•Strongly psychologicallyTypes

•Natural substances•Synthetic



Natural•Mesculine: peyote cactus•Psilocybin: certain types of mushrooms

Synthetic •Phencyclidine: PCP or angel dust•Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): acid



Effects

•How alter perceptions still unclear•Serotonin receptors?•Effects people differently in different situations (why is unclear)


5) MarijuanaBackground

•Sometimes put into one of the other categories•Or, considered its its own category


5) MarijuanaWhat it is•Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)•Active ingredient of marijuana •Found in leaves, flowering top of hemp plant Cannabis•Hashish: cooked down, mashed into a paste


5) MarijuanaEffects on the nervous system & body

•How THC effects brain largely unknown•THC neuroreceptors found in:


5) MarijuanaEffects on the nervous system & body

•How THC effects brain largely unknown•THC neuroreceptors found in:•Frontal lobe•Limbic system•Motor cortex


5) MarijuanaEffects on the nervous system & body•Because THC neuroreceptor found, neurotransmitter in the body apparently•Haven’t found it & don’t know what it does•Have found similar neurotransmitters, just not for THC


5) MarijuanaEffects on the nervous system & body•Low physically addictive •High psychologically addictive•THC lingers in body for a month or so•Body does not build up a tolerance•Small dose needed to produce desired effect


2) StimulantsHow cocaine works: 1/3•Agonist – blocks reuptake of:•Dopamine•Serotonin•Norepinephrine

•Excess neurotransmitters causes euphoric rush


2) StimulantsHow cocaine works: 2/3•Stop use of cocaine •Natural neurotransmitters used up quicker than usually •Body producing at same rate


2) StimulantsHow cocaine works: 3/3•Body crashes because lacks these neurotransmitters•Leads to agitation (lack of dopamine) depression (lack of serotonin & norepinephrine)


2) StimulantsHow ecstasy works: •Dopamine & Serotonin Agonist•Vesicle release excess of both •Blocks reuptake of both

•More of them bind to neuroreceptor site than usually do•Causes good feeling (Serotonin), want to keep taking it (Dopamine)

unit vii: states of consciousness: psychoactive drugs basic terms drug any substance that is...

Documents

states of consciousness

psychoactive drugs unit

painful unit

mood unit

cns unit

brain counters unit

frontal lobehindbrain

hand sanitizer unit