1. Thinking About Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behavior
Charles T. Blair-Broeker
Randal M. Ernst

2. Drugs
Module 22

3. Psychoactivity and Dependence
Module 22: Drugs

4. Psychoactive Drug
A chemical substance that alters perceptions, mood, or behavior
Three common psychoactive drugs:
Caffeine
Alcohol
Nicotine
Induce an altered state of consciousness

5. Dependence
A state of physiological and/or psychological need to take more of a substance after continued use.
Withdrawal follows if the drug is discontinued

6. Withdrawal
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.

7. Tolerance
Reduced responsiveness to a drug, prompting the user to increase the dosage to achieve effects previously obtained by lower doses of the drug

8. Tolerance

9. Drugs and Neurotransmission
Module 22: Drugs

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

13. Neural Activity

14. Neurotransmitters and the Synapse

15. Reuptake
Process where the unused neurotransmitter chemical is reabsorbed by the sending neuron

16. Reuptake

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

19. Drug Classifications
Module 22: Drugs

20. Five Psychoactive Drug Categories
Five different categories we will study:
Depressants
Opiates
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
Marijuana

21. Drug Classifications: Depressants
Module 22: Drugs

22. Depressants
Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functioning
Includes alcohol and sedatives

23. Alcohol (ethyl alcohol)
Found in beer, wine, and liquor
The second most used psychoactive drug (caffeine first)
Slows thinking, and impairs physical activity

24. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
A measure of how much alcohol is in a person’s bloodstream
BAC of .8 considered legal intoxication in most states

25. Euphoric Affects of Alcohol
Alcohol impairs the parts of the brain responsible for controlling inhibitions and making judgments

26. Alcohol, Memory, and Sleep
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.

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

28. Barbiturates
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

29. Benzodiazepines
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

30. Drug Classifications: Opiates
Module 22: Drugs

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

32. Morphine Strong sedative and pain-relieving drug derived from opium
Works by preventing pain neurons from firing or releasing pain-signaling neurotransmitters into the synapse

33. Endorphins
Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure
Body’s natural pain killers

34. Endorphins
Play “Endorphins: The Brain’s Natural Morphine” (5:01) Segment #5 from The Mind: Psychology Teaching Modules (2nd edition).

35. Drug Classifications: Stimulants
Module 22: Drugs

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

37. Caffeine
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

38. Nicotine Stimulant found in tobacco
Effects similar to those of caffeine
Very addictive and does not stay in the body very long

39. Cocaine 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

40. Amphetamines
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

41. Drug Classifications: Hallucinogens
Module 22: Drugs

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

43. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
Powerful hallucinogenic drug
Also known as “acid”
The effects vary from person to person
Users can be dangerous to themselves and others.

44. Ecstasy
Hallucinogenic drug that produces lower inhibitions, pleasant feelings, and greater acceptance of others
Also called MDMA
Even moderate users may experience permanent brain damage.

45. Drug Classifications: Marijuana
Module 22: Drugs

46. 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

48. Prevention
Module 22: Drugs

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

50. Treatment
Play “Treating Drug Addiction: A Behavioral Approach” (19:40) Segment #30 from The Mind: Psychology Teaching Modules (2nd edition).

51. The End