Remember: A “________” is a nerve cell. Nerve cells are the cells in the ________, ________, and ________. Neurons transmit ________ at lightning-fast speeds through the body.

Cannabis A chemical called “Tetrahydrocannabinol” (________ for short) mimics the action of a neurotransmitter called ___________. THC binds to the receptor sites of the dendrites instead of anandamide.

Effects of Cannabis ________________: Poor judgment Loss of motivation Psychological dependence Lung damage Loss of appetite (while smoking), the “munchies” afterward The debates rage on

Ethyl Alcohol Causes more damage to society, and to individual health than all other drugs of abuse combined! … … Yet, it is legal??? “You pass out before you die, right?” A CNS ________________ Alcohol blocks receptors from absorbing the neurotransmitter ________

Effects of Ethyl Alcohol Damage to ________ Smooth endoplasmic reticula in liver cells Chronic digestive tract ________ ________deficiency Impaired ________and ________

Nicotine Promotes release of ________ Binds to acetylcholine receptors This suspends acetylcholine in synapse More skeletal muscle activity

Effects of Nicotine Increase in ________________ Increased skeletal ________ activity Q: Wait– what about damage to the respiratory system? A: That’s the other stuff in tobacco.

Cocaine Prevents uptake of ________ Causes the “rush” The brain thinks the body has too much dopamine So it produces less naturally So more and more cocaine is needed to make up for less production

Effects of Cocaine Big increase in the risk of: ________________ Cocaine is a major “________________”

Heroin Withdrawal effects are ________ May lead to death

Pornography www. FightTheNewDrug.org Increase in ________ production Similar to cocaine Tolerance – brain thinks there is too much dopamine – shuts down production Individual craves more dopamine

Effects of Pornography When the brain decreases dopamine production … The cells that produce dopamine shrink This leads to … ____________ of the cerebral cortex (This happens with ________________)