Psychoactive Drug States  Human drug use has occurred for millenia  Psychoactive drugs: chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by their effects on the brain  The most abused drugs (cocaine, heroin, amphetamines) stimulate the brain’s reward circuits  These drugs trick the brain into thinking that these substances are good for us.  Most commonly used & abused psychoactive drug categories:  Hallucinogens, opiates, depressants, stimulants

Opiates  Includes morphine, heroin, codeine…all made from the opium poppy  Highly addictive  Heroin: developed in Germany in the 1800’s as a pain reliever, abandoned because of addictiveness  Injecting heroin: strong rush of euphoria that erases all worries and awareness of bodily needs, although cognitive functions are intact  Heroin use underlies much of the property crime in cities around the world.

Deppressants  Drugs that slow down mental and physical activity by inhibiting transmission of CNS nerve impulses  They don’t generally make people feel sad  In appropriate doses, depressants can relieve symptoms of pain or anxiety, but if overused they are addictive  Barbituates: sleeping pills, but they reduce REM- sleep time  Benzodiazepines (valium, xanax) are used to treat anxiety

Depressants: Alcohol  One of the first psychoactive substances used by humans  Alcohol is hard to metabolize/when blood alcohol levels reach.1% (1/1000 of the blood), individual experiences impaired coordination, memory, judgment, emotional instability  5 to 10% of Americans abuse alcohol, alcohol abuse generally begins with binge drinking  Alcohol use by pregnant women can cause FAS  Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death in people ages 15-25

Stimulants  Speed up CNS activity, resulting in boost in mental and physical activity  Effects: pleasurable sensations, increased self- confidence, greater energy, euphoria, dehydration, paranoia  Examples: cocaine, crack, amphetamines (speed), MDMA (ecstasy), nicotine, caffeine  Smoking causes 350,000 deaths annually

Dependence and Addiction  Tolerance: the reduced effectiveness of a drug after repeated use  Physical dependence: process by which the body adjusts to – and comes to need – a drug for its everyday functioning.  Addiction: when a person continues to use a drug despite its bad effects, may be physical or psychological  Withdrawal: painful symptoms and cravings experienced when drug use is eliminated or reduced  Psychological dependence: a desire to use a drug, even though there is no physical dependence

Hallucinogens  Drugs that create hallucinations or alter perceptions of the external environment and inner awareness  Examples: mescaline, psilocybine (made from mushrooms), LSD, PCP  PCP (angel dust) originally used as a veterinary anesthetic, is highly addictive, user feels removed from parts of his or her personality

Hallucinogens  Cannabis = derived from the hemp plant, is a mild hallucinogen  Active ingredient: THC  Pleasant effects: altered perception, sedation, pain relief  Medical use: reduce nausea from chemotherapy  Unpleasant effects: fear, anxiety, confusion  Psychologically addictive, not highly physically addictive  How does it work?  In the brain, THC causes the release of dopamine, which activates reward centers  Cannabis receptors in the brain have been discovered, which means that our brains make THC-like chemicals