Psychoactive Drugs

States of Consciousness 2-4% AP students in psychology should be able to do the following: • Describe various states of consciousness and their impact on behavior. • Discuss aspects of sleep and dreaming: — stages and characteristics of the sleep cycle; — theories of sleep and dreaming; — symptoms and treatments of sleep disorders. • Describe historic and contemporary uses of hypnosis (e.g., pain control, psychotherapy). • Explain hypnotic phenomena (e.g., suggestibility, dissociation). • 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. • Identify the major figures in consciousness research (e.g., William James, Sigmund Freud, Ernest Hilgard).

Psychoactive Drugs Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that modify mental, emotional, or behavioral functioning Our book categorizes these drugs into six categories, but they are more commonly just categorized under three

categories

3 common categories - Depressant Stimulant Hallucinogen

Narcotics (opiates) Drugs derived from opium that are capable of relieving pain Heroin and morphine Falls under “depressant” as well

Depressants Drugs and opiates that calm the body and slow body functioning Alcohol Barbiturates Opiates

Alcohol Disinhibitor- slows brain activity that controls judgment and inhibitions Slows neural processing Memory disruption- nerve cell death, reduces the birth of new nerve cells, impairs growth of new nerve cells, blackouts (suppresses REM) Alcohol use disorder- alcoholism Reduced self awareness and self control Expectancy effects

Barbiturates Tranquilizers Depress nervous system activity Induce sleep, reduce anxiety In larger doses can impair memory and judgment Combined w/alcohol can be lethal

Opiates Opium and its derivatives Depress neural functioning Heroin, codeine, and morphine Pupil constriction, breathing slows, lethargy sets in When you use all the time, the body stops producing endorphins on its own

stimulants Drugs that tend to increase central nervous system activation and behavioral activity Range from mild to stronger, readily available to carefully regulated ones (caffeine to cocaine) Amphetamines- drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated mood changes

Nicotine Cigarettes/tobacco products Quickly addictive Difficult to quit within even the first few weeks

Cocaine Powerful and addictive stimulant, derived from the coca plant, producing temporarily increased alertness and euphoria Snort, inject, smoke, etc Enters bloodstream, euphoria depletes the brain’s supply of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine Crack* faster working crystallized form of cocaine that produces a briefer, but more intense high

Methamphetamine Powerfully addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with speeded-up body processes and associated energy and mood change; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels

Ecstacy Synthetic stimulant and mild hallucinogen. Produces euphoria and social intimacy, but with short term health risks and longer-term harm to serotonin producing neurons and to mood and cognition

Hallucinogens Psychedelic drugs that have powerful effects on mental and emotional functioning, marked most prominently by distortions in sensory and perceptual experiences

Marijuana THC- major active ingredient in marijuana; triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations Lingers in the system for up to a week Disrupts memory formation, interferes with immediate recall Heavy use over 20 years leads to shrinkage of brain areas associated with memory and emotion Prenatal exposure impairs brain development

LSD Powerful hallucinogenic drug, also known as acid Emotions range from euphoria to detachment to panic “near death experience” an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death, often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

Factors influencing drug effects

Drugs effects from person to person Multifactoral causation Subjectivity of experience

Factors Influencing Drug Effects Tolerance: a progressive decrease in a person’s responsiveness to a drug People consume larger and larger amounts of the drugs in order to attain the effect they desire Slow vs. quick development

Mechanisms of drug action Amphetamines- increase the release of neurotransmitters at DA (dopamine) and NE (norepinephrine) transmitters Amphetamines also interfere with the reuptake of neurotransmitter molecules at DA and NE synapses THUS- they produce stimulant effects BUT- more time for enzymes to swoop in and get rid of them crash Cocaine- interferes with reuptake at DE, NE, and serotonin synapses

Drug Dependence Physical Dependence: a person must continue to take the drug to avoid withdrawal illness Fever, chills, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, pains, depression, and feelings of disorientation

Drug Dependence Psychological Dependence: exists when a person must continue to take a drug to satisfy intense mental and emotional cravings for a drug

Drugs and Health Overdose Respiratory systems grind to a halt, comas, brain damage, heart attack, stroke, seizures, and even DEATH.

Direct effects Snorting- tissue damage, nasal membranes Respiratory problems Liver damage Ulcers Hypertension Stroke Heart disease Cancer

Indirect effects Impairment of motor coordination Infectious diseases (needles) AIDS

Drug Chart Activity Get with your assigned group at one of the stations. Complete the chart as you move about each station(approx. 5 minutes at each station). Complete using the sheets provided, but also use your phones to look up miscellaneous data and stats to add to your chart Think legality, dependency speed, news, etc. If you finish early, continue to look up miscellaneous information and data- we will discuss it all tomorrow!