1. Psychoactive Drugs Chemicals that: Affect the nervous system
Interfere with the normal functioning of the brain

2. Stimulants Drugs that speed up the nervous system.
Tolerance develops easily.
Increased heart and respiratory rates
High blood pressure
Dilated pupils
Decreased appetite
Paranoia

3. Common Stimulants Nicotine (tobacco products)
Caffeine (coffee, cola, tea, chocolate)
Cocaine and Crack
Methamphetamine (crank, speed, ice)

4. Depressants Drugs that slow down the nervous system.
Easily cause physical and psychological dependence.
Slow down heart and breathing rates.
Reduce blood pressure

5. Common Depressants Alcohol
Barbiturates-sleeping pills, may lead to coma, fatal when combined with alcohol
Tranquilizers-relieve anxiety and muscle spasms
Methaqualone-reduce anxiety and help with insomnia

6. Drugs derived from the opium plants that have a sedative effect.
       
Narcotics
Drugs derived from the opium plants that have a sedative effect.
Strong pain relievers
Opium

7. Opiates Morphine (medical use for pain relief)
Codeine (use to control coughs) very addictive
Heroin (no medical use) Tolerance develops quickly.
HIV and Hepatitis B risks because of needle use.
Withdrawal is painful and may take several day.

8. Hallucinogens
Drugs that alter moods, thoughts, and sense perceptions, including vision, hearing, smell, and touch.

9. Common Hallucinogens
PCP (angel dust) User may become violent and overly strong.
LSD (acid) wildly unpredictable effects
Mescaline (derived from the Peyote cactus) Some Indian tribes use for religious ceremonies.
Psilocybin (found in certain types of mushrooms)

10. Synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone.
Anabolic Steroids
Synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone.
Used both legally and illegally.
Legal use can help build muscles in patients with chronic diseases.
Illegal use to enhance performance or muscularity.

11. Cannabis Derivatives
Cannabis is the scientific name for the hemp plant.
Marijuana and hashish both come from parts of the hemp plant.
Not all parts of this plant have the intoxicating ingredient THC.

12. Effects of Cannabis Lowers body temperature.
Increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Stimulates appetite.
Alters senses, coordination and reaction time.
Affects memory.
Contains more cancer causing chemicals than cigarette smoke.
Lowers testosterone levels in males and decreases sperm production.

13. Inhalants
Substances will breathable fumes that are sniffed and inhaled to give a hallucinogenic or mind-altering high.

14. Common Inhalants
Glue
Spray paint
Aerosols
Lighter fluid
Gasoline

15. Effects Most depress the nervous system Nausea Sneezing Coughing
Nosebleeds
Fatigue
Lack of coordination
Loss of appetite

16. Effects of Heavy Use Liver and kidney damage Changes in bone marrow
Permanent brain damage
Hearing loss
Limb spasms
Coma
Suffocation

17. Designer Drugs
Synthetic substances meant to imitate the effects of narcotics and hallucinogens.
One example is ecstasy or MDMA.
Chemical composition similar to methamphetamine and mescaline.
Has both a stimulant and hallucinogenic effect.

18. Drugs made so as to physically resemble specific illegal drugs.
Look-alike Drugs
Drugs made so as to physically resemble specific illegal drugs.
Example: look-alike “speed” may be a capsule containing caffeine and a cold medicine.
Or: a sugar pill sold at a high price to trick someone into thinking they are getting an illegal drug.

19.        
       
Dangers
Extremely hard to know exactly what is in a look-alike or designer drug.
Effects are unpredictable.
Ketamine
GHB