Psycho-Active Drugs AP PSYCHOLOGY MS. BROWN MYERS, CH. 7

Psychoactive Drug A chemical substance that alters behaviors and mental processes ◦Work at the neurons’ synapses in the brain by stimulating, inhibiting, or mimicking neurotransmitters ◦Effects also influenced by expectations Addiction - Compulsive drug craving and use ◦10% of psychoactive drug users become addicted, chronic users

Tolerance and Withdrawal Tolerance – the diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect. ◦Neuroadaption – the brain adapts its chemistry to offset the drug Withdrawal – the discomfort and distress that follows discontinuing the use of an addictive drug. (aches, nausea, distress)

Dependence Physical dependence – a physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued Psychological dependence – a psychological need to use a drug, such as to relieve negative emotions (lasts much longer than physical dependence)

Depressants Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions ◦Slow the activity in the CNS ◦Alcohol ◦Barbiturates ◦Opiates

Alcohol Depressant Initial high, followed by relaxation and disinhibition ◦Impaired frontal lobe function – increased impulsivity and decreased judgement abilities ◦BAC = blood alcohol content Depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions Bar Lab Expectations guide effects

Barbiturates and Opiates Depressants Barbiturates ◦Tranquillizers ◦Anti-anxiety drugs/sleep aids Opiates ◦Derived from opium ◦Morphine, Heroin ◦Can cause the brain to stop naturally producing endorphins

Stimulants Drugs that easily excite neural activity and speed bodily functions ◦Amphetamines ◦Caffeine ◦Nicotine ◦Cocaine ◦Methamphetamine ◦Ecstasy

Cocaine Stimulant ◦“Crack” is a smokable form of cocaine Rush of euphoria, confidence, energy Cardiovascular stress, paranoia, depressive crash Expectations – placebos show same results Cocaine rewires brain to search for more cocainerewires brain

Methamphetamine Stimulant Euphoria, alertness, energy Irritability, insomnia, high blood pressure, seizure Reduces baseline dopamine levels  permanent dopamine deficiency Horrors of Meth

Ecstasy (MDMA) Stimulant, mild hallucinogen Emotional elevation, disinhibition Dehydration, overheating Damage to serotonin producing neurons  permanently reduced mood

Hallucinogens Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input ◦Marijuana ◦LSD (acid)

Marijuana Depressant, mild hallucinogen Enhanced sensations, relief, distortion of time, relaxation Impaired learning and memory, lower inhibitions THC - major active ingredient in marijuana, triggers a variety of effects including mild hallucinations Effects depend on user’s expectations

LSD (Acid) Hallucinogen Hallucinations Unpredictable – high highs, low lows Can experience flashbacks (random hallucinations) later in life The brain may be damaged by LSD use, causing it to misfire and send incorrect signals The way the brain functions and perceives information may be changed by LSD use, such as being much more sensitive to light and therefore seeing halos or trails The drug or some portion of it may be stored in the body or brain and released again later

Drug Use: Biopsychosocial Phenomenon BiologicalPsychologicalSocial Cultural  Genetic tendencies (alcoholism)  Dopamine reward circuit  Tolerance  Lacking sense of purpose or direction  Significant stress and urge to avoid  Psychological disorders, such as depression  Cultural ethnic group  Belonging to a drug using culture group  Peer pressure/influence Possible channels for drug prevention for young people… Education about drugs’ negative effects Efforts to boost self esteem and purpose in life Attempts to modify peer associations, or inoculate youth against peer pressure Crash Course - Drugs

Near Death Experiences An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death; often similar to drug-induced hallucinations ◦Replay of memories ◦Out-of-body sensations ◦Vivid visions of tunnels and bright lights ◦1/3 of people who have had a brush with death report having a near-death experience

Dualism vs. Monism Can the mind exist apart from the body? ◦Dualism – the presumption that the mind and body are two distinct entities that interact (possibly exemplified by near-death experiences) ◦Monism – the presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing.