substance Use & your brain Intro to Wellness

Your brain Cerebral Cortex: senses, thinking, problem solving, decision making Limbic System: reward system, perception of emotions Brain Stem: basic life functions Cerebellum: motor control, balance, coordination

What are drugs? A drug is any chemical you take that affects the way your body works. A drug must be able to pass from your body into your brain. Once inside your brain, drugs can change the messages your brain cells are sending to each other, and to the rest of your body. They do this by interfering with your brain's own chemical signals: flood neurotransmitters, block receptors, or mimic neurotransmitters.

Types of Drug use Drug Use taking a drug for its medically intended purpose, in the appropriate amount, frequency, strength, and manner. Drug Misuse taking a drug for its medically intended purpose, but not in the appropriate amount, frequency, strength, or manner. Drug Abuse the deliberate taking of a drug for anything other than a medical purpose.

Why do people abuse drugs? Curiosity Peer pressure - to fit in Escape or relax Bored Rebel Feelings of pleasure that occur with use

Drugs & dopamine Drugs provide a sense of pleasure by increasing levels of the naturally-occurring neurotransmitter dopamine—taking it up to as much as five or 10 times the normal level. With these levels elevated, the user's brain begins to associate the drug with euphoric reward. Over time, by artificially raising the amount of dopamine our brains think is "normal," the drugs create a need that only they can meet.

Addiction Addiction A dependence which cause a change in the body’s chemistry so that without the presence of the substance, normal functioning begins to fail. Physical addiction also makes the body develop a tolerance to the drug. Tolerance Constant use of a substance produces a lesser effect and increasing amounts of that substance are necessary to produce the same effect.

withdrawal *Anxiety * Irritability *Headaches * Sweating Physical symptoms that occur when an addictive drug is cleared from the body tissues. *Anxiety * Irritability *Headaches * Sweating *Palpitations *Muscle tension *Tremors *Vomiting *Difficulty breathing *Insomnia *Hallucinations

classifications Stimulants Depressants Opiates Hallucinogens Substances which increase, or stimulate the normal activity of the central nervous system. In other words, they increase the normal level of awareness, alertness and energy in one's mind and body. Depressants Substances which temporarily diminish the normal function of the brain and central nervous system. Due to their effects, these drugs can be referred to as "downers". Opiates Opiates are powerful painkillers which produce a quick, intense feeling of pleasure followed by a sense of well-being and calm. Hallucinogens Substances which cause altered perception and feeling.

caffeine Joe, java Legal stimulant that made from plants. Improves effectiveness of some medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen Short-term: Feel more alert & aware Long-term: Acid in stomach, increased blood pressure, altered sleep pattern, tolerance Use in moderation: 100 – 200mg/day or about 8 oz. coffee – 100 mg * Monster Energy Drink – 160 mg No-Doz – 200mg * 8 oz. black tea – 45 mg Red Bull – 80 mg * 5 Hour Energy – 200mg

tobacco Chew, dip, plug, hooka Legal by age stimulant made from tobacco plant. Effects caused by the body responding to the chemical nicotine, Once inhaled, it can reach the brain through the bloodstream in less than 10 seconds. Metabolizes quickly – 3 to 4 hours before withdrawal. Short-term: sense of well-being, increased short-term memory, boost mood, sense of calm, appetite suppressant Long-term: Premature aging, discoloration, respiratory problems, cancer

marijuana Pot, grass, reefer, weed, Mary Jane Made from the hemp plant and body reacts the chemical THC. Acts as both a stimulant & depressant Short-term: heightened sense of perception, increased appetite, relaxation, altered sense of time, impaired balance & coordination, sleepy Long-term: impairs memory & learning skills, alters sleep patterns, chronic cough, increases risk of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals, potential to PROMOTE lung cancer because it contains 70% more irritants & carcinogens than tobacco Used for medicinal reasons: chemo patients to help relieve nausea, relieve pain & increase appetite; Eye problems to decrease ocular pressure

MDma Molly, ecstacy, X, XTC, beans, E Man-made chemical; both a stimulant & hallucinogen Increases the release of serotonin which plays an important role in love, trust, sexual arousal. Loss of sense of perception & time, can lead to dehydration & affect ability to regulate temperature Studies have shown that even short-term use produces long- term damage to the brain: memory lapses, confusion, depression Takes about 45 minutes to feel the “high” so some people take more because they don’t think it is working

heroin Tar, smack, white lady, dope, dragon, H Opiate/depressant that is made from Opium poppy plant Floods dopamine & blocks receptors involved in perception of pain & in the brain stem which controls basic life functions Surge of euphoria followed by a heaviness, “On the nod” Heroin use in Medway?