Drugs and Consciousness

Drugs Drugs are chemicals that have biological effects within the body. Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that change conscious awareness or perception. Depressants slow down the nervous system. Stimulants speed up the nervous system. Opiates relieve pain. Hallucinogens alter sensory perception .

Drug Use and Abuse Drug abuse: Drug use that causes emotional or physical harm to the user. Addiction results from repeated drug use. Tolerance: more drug is required. Drug abstinence leads to withdrawal symptoms. Drug dependence can be: Physical: withdrawal reactions are noted when drug use is terminated. Psychological: associated with a craving for the drug

Examples of Drug Types Depressants: alcohol, barbiturates Stimulants: caffeine, amphetamine cocaine, nicotine Opiates heroin, morphine Hallucinogens LSD, mescaline, marijuana

Depressants Alcohol is particularly dangerous when combined with barbiturates. abuse can lead to serious losses in cognitive functioning involved in nearly half of all murders, suicides, spousal abuse and accidental deaths in the united states is the third leading cause of birth defects

Stimulants Nicotine is considered the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United Sates. Cocaine causes physical damage, severe addiction and psychological dependence. Cocaine can interfere with the electrical activity of the heart.

Opiates Narcotics, such as morphine and heroin, produce their effects by mimicking endorphins.

Hallucinogens LSD- associated with “bad trips” Marijuana has some properties of depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens at higher doses.

“Club Drugs” MDMA- high doses can cause dangerous increases in body temperature and blood pressure leading to seizures, heart attacks and strokes; can produces long lasting damage to the brain.

How Drugs Work

Drug Action on Neurons

Factors that Lead to Drug Abuse Positive associations: the drug is portrayed in a positive fashion in the media. Biological factors: the drug induces a pleasurable state (usually related to dopamine activity in the brain). Prevention of withdrawal: person continues to take the drug to avoid withdrawal effects. Conditioning of drug craving: cues associated with drug use can elicit craving for the drug.

Hypnosis Hypnosis is an altered state of heightened suggestibility. The hypnotic state is characterized by: Narrow and focused attention Imagination Passive receptive attitude Reduced reaction to pain Heightened suggestibility

Myths of Hypnosis People can be hypnotized against their will. People will do immoral things while hypnotized. Hypnosis improves memory recall. Hypnotized persons have special strength. Hypnosis is fake.

Altered States Meditation refers to a set of techniques that promote a heightened sense of awareness. can involve body movements and posture, focusing of attention on a focal point, or control of breathing can induce relaxation, lower blood pressure, and can be associated with a sense of euphoria

Why do people alter consciousness? Sacred rituals Social interactions Individual rewards