Altered Consciousness and Drugs Psychoactive Drug: Any chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood. Three Basic Categories: Depressants: “Downers” calm neural activity and slow body functions Stimulants: “Uppers” excite neural activity Hallucinogens: distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

Why Do Drugs Mess People Up? No matter what type of drug from alcohol to cocaine, drugs work at the neurological level and at the brain’s synapses. Some drugs stimulate the release of certain neurotransmitters. Others mimic the activity of neurotransmitters (agonists) Others inhibit the release of neurotransmitters (antagonists)

Drugs and Social Expectations Drug experiences vary depending on the culture you are in. Often people act how they think they should act when on a certain drug. Ex: Alcohol belief studies.

Depressants Alcohol: suppresses parts of the brain that control judgment, inhibitions, and can seriously alter physical functioning in high doses (balance, memory, consciousness, death). Urges you feel when sober, you are more likely to act upon when drunk. Alcohol will increase any tendency you have whether it is harmful or helpful.

Depressants Barbiturates: depress CNS and reduce anxiety but impair memory and judgment. Ex: sleep aids, valium, “special k,” tranquilizers, etc.

Depressants Opiates: opium and its derivatives, depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety. Ex: morphine, heroin, opium. Opiates usually mimic endorphins; causes massive craving and addiction because body stops producing its natural opiates.

Stimulants Wide variety of substances fall under the category of stimulants including: Caffeine Nicotine Amphetamines (“speed”) Cocaine MDMA (Ecstacy)

Stimulants Speed up heart rate and breathing rates, often use to keep awake, lose weight, or to boost mood. All stimulants can become highly addictive and often come with a “crash” when high is over with.

Stimulants Cocaine: powerful stimulant usually snorted or smoked that induces 15 to 30 minute “rush.” Crack produces even quicker and more intense high but lasts shorter period of time. Drug depletes the brain’s supply of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine often causing depression. Also increases paranoia and increases risk of heart problems. May increase aggressive behaviors and causes extreme addiction.

Stimulants Methamphetamine: (crystal meth, ice, speed). Causes large increases in alertness and may cause increase in energy and produce a euphoria. Often leads to extreme addiction, insomnia, nervousness, or even seizures.

Hallucinogens Also called psychedelics: are drugs that produce false and heightened sensory experiences. Most well known hallucinogen is LSD: (lysergic acid diethylamine): probably most powerful hallucinogen. Other examples include: marijuana, peyote, and “magic mushrooms,”

Hallucinogens Marijuana: consists of flowers and leaves from the hemp plant and when smoked or ingested acts as a mild hallucinogen. Relaxes,disinhibits, and impairs motor functions of individuals while at the same time amplifying sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes, and smells. Main active ingredient=THC

Hallucinogens In recent years, Marijuana has also been promoted for medical use. Advocates say that marijuana serves as relief for people suffering from intense pain, nausea, or that have trouble eating. Although the medical community is split on issue, most recognize the toxicity of the smoke is a definite drawback to using the drug medically. Marijuana also disrupts memory formation and may cause sexual dysfunctions.

General Concepts and Drugs Physical vs. Psychological Dependence Tolerance: diminishing effect of drug with the same dose, requires user to take more to get same high. Withdrawal: discomfort and distress associated with quitting the use of an addictive drug.

Influences on Drug Use Perception of the risk involved with a drug helps predict levels of use.

Influences on Drug Use Also evidence that there may be biological influences in drug use. Couple examples: Identical twin with alcoholism other twin has increased risk. Molecular geneticists have found gene that is more common in people with alcoholism.

Influences on Drug Use Peer factor is perhaps most powerful. Family strength, religiousness, morality are near as big as predictors as whether or not peers use drugs. If your friends do drugs, odds are high that you may do them too. Why many addicts have to change their social networks in order to remain drug free. .