Mineral Research Project By: Phillip Weinstein

Question: How do drugs positively and negatively affect the brain’s everyday functions? Adderall Cocaine Heroin Marijuana

What is a drug? A drug is a medicine or other substance which has an effect when introduced into the body.

First drug: Adderall Adderall is a common drug used to help people with ADHD, and less commonly, narcolepsy. Pros: Can cause people with ADHD to act differently Can also help people with narcolepsy The effects are long lasting Cons: Adderall is an amphetamine, which is a highly addictive substance. It also can cause appetite suppression Can cause lack of sleep and insomnia Can cause sweating and a dry mouth

Adderall’s Effect on the Brain Known as a “Study Drug” Most commonly abused by people aged 18-22 Gives great focus, makes you much more patient

Second drug: Cocaine Cocaine: a strong stimulant, most commonly used as a recreational drug. Pros: • Gives a lot of excitement to the user • Makes you happy • Self confidence booster Cons: • Extremely addicting • Can cause severe tooth decay • Can give people severe depression • Has a chance to cause liver and kidney disease To the right: A deformed nose, due to the snorting of Cocaine.

Cocaine’s Effect on the Brain Since you are getting so much dopamine from the cocaine, that feeling won’t happen when your brain naturally produces it. This will make you want to relapse Can make you binge Overdosage is common in cocaine

Third drug: Heroin Heroin is a highly addictive drug derived from morphine that is either smoked, snorted or injected. Pros: • Heroin is a painkiller, and the best of it’s kind.  • Used in major intestinal surgeries. • Like cocaine, heroin helps boost confidence • Reasonably cheap.  Cons: • One of the most addictive drugs in the world • Withdrawal, or the effects you feel while not on the drug, include aches, severe vomiting, restlessness and discomfort. • Can cause death easily • Can impair concentration

Heroin’s Effect on the Brain When it enters the brain, it turns into morphine Then, it binds to cells A “rush” happens in your body The rush usually only happens to people who inject it After the rush you become extremely tired

Final drug: Marijuana Marijuana: dried hemp leaves and flowers that are smoked as a drug. Pros: • Can help people with muscle spasms • Relieves arthritis discomfort • Helps your metabolism • Spurs creativity in the brain Cons: • Can make you depressed • Can impair memory • Like all other drugs, it can lead to addiction. • It can irritate your airways.

Marijuana’s Effect on the Brain Marijuana is sometimes referred to as a “gateway drug” People in adolescence “age 13-19” are likely to lose memory, some find learning harder, and some people’s impulses become worse. It depends on how much the person is smoking. Marijuana is good, however, for treating people with chronic illnesses.

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