1. Chapter 9: States of Consciousness
Module 22: Drugs
Chapter 9:
States of Consciousness

2. Psychoactive Drug Dependence
A chemical substance that alters perceptions, mood, or behavior
Three common psychoactive drugs:
Caffeine
Alcohol
Nicotine
Induce an altered state of consciousness
A state of physiological and/or psychological need to take more of a substance after continued use.
Withdrawal follows if the drug is discontinued

3. Withdrawal Tolerance
The discomfort and distress that follow when a person who is dependent on a drug discontinues the use of the drug
Withdrawal symptoms are usually the reverse of the drug’s effects.
Reduced responsiveness to a drug, prompting the user to increase the dosage to achieve effects previously obtained by lower doses of the drug

4. Tolerance

5. Drugs and Neurotransmission
Module 22: Drugs

6. Neurotransmission
The process whereby neurons communicate with each other
Neurotransmission, especially in the brain and spinal cord, helps explain the effects of psychoactive drugs.
Psychoactive drugs interfere with normal neurotransmission.

7. Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross synaptic gaps between neurons
When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, setting up the next link in the chain of communication.

8. Synapse
The junction between the tip of the sending neuron and the receptor sites on the receiving neuron
Call the synaptic gap or cleft

9. Neural Neurotransmitters Activity and the Synapse

10. Reuptake
Process where the unused neurotransmitter chemical is reabsorbed by the sending neuron
How anti-depressants work; they facilitate the reuptake

11. Drug Classifications
Module 22: Drugs

13. Psychoactive Drugs and Synapses
Psychoactive drugs affect synapses and neurotransmitters in three ways:
Binding with receptors
Blocking receptor site
Blocking neurotransmitters’ reuptake

14. Five Psychoactive Drug Categories
Five different categories we will study:
#1. Depressants
#2. Opiates
#3. Stimulants
#4. Hallucinogens
#5. Marijuana

15. Drug Classifications: #1. Depressants
Module 22: Drugs

16. #1. Depressants
Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functioning
Includes alcohol and sedatives

17. Depressants: Alcohol (ethyl alcohol)
Found in beer, wine, and liquor
The second most used psychoactive drug (caffeine first)
Slows thinking, and impairs physical activity
A measure of how much alcohol is in a person’s bloodstream
BAC of .08 considered legal intoxication in most states

18. Affects of Alcohol Euphoric Memory & Sleep
Alcohol impairs the parts of the brain responsible for controlling inhibitions and making judgments
Studies have shown that alcohol impairs memory by suppressing the processing of events into long term memory.
Alcohol impairs REM sleep, further disrupting memory storage.

19. Do you have an alcohol problem?

20. Depressants: Sedatives
Drugs that reduce anxiety or induce sleep
Also called tranquilizers
Include barbiturates and benzodiazepines

21. Barbiturates Benzodiazepines
Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system and thereby reduce anxiety
Can be lethal in overdose and interact with other drugs, especially alcohol
Impair both memory and judgment
Can create tolerance and dependence
Drugs that depress that activity of the central nervous system without most of the side effects associated with barbiturates
Include Valium and Xanax
Can create dependency

22. Drug Classifications: #2. Opiates
Module 22: Drugs

23. #2. Opiates
Drugs that depress neural activity, temporarily lesson pain and anxiety
Include: opium, morphine, and heroin

24. Opiates: Morphine & Endorphins
Strong sedative and pain-relieving drug derived from opium
Works by preventing pain neurons from firing or releasing pain-signaling neurotransmitters into the synapse
Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
Body’s natural pain killers

25. Drug Classifications: #3. Stimulants
Module 22: Drugs

26. #3. Stimulants
Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
Include: caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine

27. Caffeine Nicotine Stimulant found in tobacco
Stimulant found in coffee, chocolate, tea, and some soft drinks
Provides user with a sense of increased energy, mental alertness, and forced wakefulness
Blocks neurological receptor sites that , if activated, sedate the central nervous system
Stimulant found in tobacco
Effects similar to those of caffeine
Very addictive and does not stay in the body very long
Explains constant cravings

28. Cocaine Amphetamines Stimulant derived from leaves of the coca plant
Crack – cocaine crystals
Blocks the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters
Dependency is quick and severe; places extreme strain on cardiovascular system
Drugs that stimulate neural activity, speeding up body functions, with associated energy and mood changes
Includes: speed, uppers, and methamphetamines
Mimic adrenaline
Can cause irreversible changes in mood

29. Drug Classifications: #4. Hallucinogens
Module 22: Drugs

30. #4. Hallucinogens
Drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
Include: LSD and ecstasy
Sometimes called “psychedelics”

31. Lysergic Acid Ecstacy Diethylamide (LSD)
Powerful hallucinogenic drug
Also known as “acid”
The effects vary from person to person
Users can be dangerous to themselves and others.
Hallucinogenic drug that produces lower inhibitions, pleasant feelings, and greater acceptance of others
Also called MDMA
Even moderate users may experience permanent brain damage.

32. Drug Classifications: #5: Marijuana
Module 22: Drugs

33. #5. Marijuana
Leaves, stems, resin, and flowers form the hemp plant that, when smoked, lower inhibitions and produce feelings of relaxation and mild euphoria
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active ingredient
Disrupts memory; lung damage from smoke

35. Prevention
Module 22: Drugs

36. High School Drug Use (Johnston & others, 2002)