PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS RG 5c

TODAY’S GOALS Can you Explain the difference between stimulants and depressants Identify the major psychoactive drug categories (e.g., depressants, stimulants) and classify specific drugs, including their psychological and physiological effects. Discuss drug dependence, addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal.

DRUGS AND CONSCIOUSNESS Psychoactive Drug: A chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood (effects consciousness). OBJECTIVE 20-1| Define psychoactive drug.

DEPENDENCE & ADDICTION Continued use of psychoactive drug produces tolerance. With repeated exposure to a drug, the drug’s effect lessens. Thus it takes bigger doses to get the desired effect. OBJECTIVE 20-2| Discuss the nature of drug dependence, and identify three common misconceptions about drug addiction.

WITHDRAWAL & DEPENDENCE Withdrawal: Upon stop taking a drug (after addiction) users may experience undesirable effects of withdrawal. Dependence: Absence of drug may lead to feelings of physical pain, intense cravings (physical dependence) and negative emotions (psychological dependence).

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ADDICTION Addiction is a craving for a chemical substance despite its adverse consequences (physical & psychological). Addictive drugs quickly corrupt. Addiction cannot be overcome voluntarily. Addiction is not different than repetitive pleasure seeking behavior Addictive drugs quickly corrupt: After taking drugs only (perhaps) 10% become addict. Addiction cannot be overcome voluntarily: It can be to a large extent. Addiction not different than repetitive pleasure-seeking behaviors: Indeed. But should we stretch the concept to cover social behaviors?

DEPRESSANTS Depressants are drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions, they include: Alcohol Barbiturates Opiates OBJECTIVE 20-4| Explain how depressants affect nervous system activity and behavior, and summarize the findings on alcohol use and abuse.

ALCOHOL In low doses – relaxes drinker by slowing down the sympathetic nervous system (lowering inhibitions and judgments) In high doses – reactions slow, speech slurs, and skilled performance deteriorates Also affects memory by disrupting the processing of recent events into long-term memory, reduces self-awareness, and focuses one’s attention on immediate situation rather than future consequences

ALCOHOL How does the body react to alcohol? generally it takes about one hour to metabolize the alcohol in one drink (1 oz. 80-proof liquor, 4 oz. wine or 12 oz. beer) women metabolize alcohol more slowly than men if woman and man of the same weight consume the same amount of alcohol, the woman would be more intoxicated than man due to the way their bodies are composed…men have more muscle which speeds up the metabolizing of the alcohol

BARBITURATES drugs that mimic the effects of alcohol – depress CNS activity & in larger doses, can lead to impaired memory and judgment Nembutal, Seconal, and Amytal are some examples.

DEPRESSANTS 3. Opiates: Opium and its derivatives (morphine and heroin) depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety. They are highly addictive. http://opioids.com/timeline

HEROIN user gets a short lived feeling of blissful pleasure (lasts for about 3-5 hours), followed by craving for another fix, the need for progressively larger doses, and physical withdrawal symptoms Methadone is often used when trying to combat a heroin addiction at the dosages given the individual does not get “high” yet it is enough to reduce the intense physical cravings However, people can become addicted to Methadone

STIMULANTS Stimulants are drugs that excite neural activity and speed-up body functions. Caffeine Nicotine Cocaine Ecstasy Amphetamines Methamphetamines OBJECTIVE 20-5| Identify the major stimulants, and explain how they affect neural activity and behavior.

CAFFEINE & NICOTINE Caffeine and nicotine increase heart and breathing rates, and other autonomic functions to provide energy. http://www.tech-res-intl.com

CAFFEINE Found in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate and many over-the-counter meds Most people use caffeine in some form everyday…it is considered the most widely used psychoactive drug Increases attentiveness & improves mood by mimicking adenosine (a neurotransmitter) Is physically addictive Individuals can experience withdrawal symptoms if stop intake (usually from a few days up to a week will have headaches, be irritable, drowsy or be tired…esp. if a regular coffee, tea, soda drinker) At high doses, it can produce anxiety, restlessness, insomnia & increased heart rate – known as “coffee nerves”

CAFFEINE The recommended amount of caffeine per day is 250 milligrams…

AMPHETAMINES (“speed” or “uppers”) Suppress appetite and were once prescribed as diet pills No longer prescribed because of tolerance to its appetite-suppressant effects occurs quickly, meaning the individual needs more and more of the drug to maintain effects Also increase concentration and reduce fatigue…can increase anxiety and irritability as well

METHAMPHETAMINES (CRYSTAL METH) llegal drug manufactured in street laboratories that is either smoked or injected as with all amphetamines, after using for awhile one “crashes”, exhibiting withdrawal symptoms of fatigue, deep sleep, intense mental depression & increased appetite it is highly addictive…aftereffects include: irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures, periods of disorientation and occasional violent behavior Over time, it appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels, leaving the users with permanently depressed functioning

COCAINE Illegal stimulate derived from coca tree http://www.ohsinc.com Illegal stimulate derived from coca tree Derivatives (novocaine) are used today as anesthetics cocaine was part of Coca-Cola’s original formula in 1888, it was replaced in 1903 by caffeine – yet coca leaves, with cocaine extracted for medical purposes, are still used today as flavoring in some cola drinks When inhaled/”snorted”, reaches brain in minutes – producing intense euphoria, mental alertness & self- confidence which lasts for several minutes usually 10-30 minutes if someone is a binge user)

COCAINE Blocks the reuptake of dopamine…so the brain is flooded with dopamine-produced pleasure sensations

ECSTASY (MDMA) A stimulant and mild hallucinogen Increases empathy, peacefulness and the person “feels” calm or relaxed, yet they also seem to have an unending supply of energy Making it a popular “club drug” the immediate dehydrating effects, combined with prolonged physical activity (like dancing) causes the person risk severe overheating, increased blood pressure and death Researchers have found a decline in memory and performance on IQ tests And they believe MDMA causes long-term serotonin changes in the brain…leading to reduced serotonin levels & increased risk of depressed mood Greg Smith/ AP Photos

HALLUCINOGENS Hallucinogens are psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input. OBJECTIVE 20-6| Describe the physiological and psychological effects of hallucinogens and summarize the effects of LSD and marijuana. Ronald K. Siegel

LSD (LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE) “ACID” one of the most powerful drugs known – only takes one-millionth of an ounce to produce altering effects first synthesized from rye fungus by Swiss chemist in late 1930s – Hofmann accidentally ingested a minuscule amount of the substance, having the first LSD trip ever) trip lasts 6-14 hours – effects vary greatly visual distortions & hallucinations Emotions very intense & unstable and impaired thoughts “bad trips” terrifying & users are in a state of panic, feel as they will go mad & never come out some have ended tragically in accidents, death or suicide) flashbacks -- have sudden, w/o warning brief recurrences of trip weeks/months after use

MARIJUANA Hemp Plant produces feeling of elation, promotes relaxation, relieves inhibitions, relieves anxiety & increases sensitivity to sights, sounds & touch – causes sense of time to be distorted THC (tetrahydrocannibinol), ingredient that produces the high, remains in body long after use 10% remains in system after 7 weeks effects: impairs attention/coordination, slows reaction time, interferes with concentration, logical thinking, ability to form new memories & ability to hold in mind what is said chronic use associated with loss of motivation and general apathy – it also causes respiratory damage faster than cigarette smoking & heavy use/abuse affects the reproductive system, esp. in males

DRUGS Summary

INFLUENCES ON DRUG USE Use of drugs is based on biological, psychological and social-cultural influences.