1. Steroids and Other Dangerous Drugs
Chapter 26 lesson 3

2. Anabolic Steroids
What is it? Synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone.
Used medically to treat chronic diseases
Illegally used as a performance enhancer
Causes mood swings, and abnormally violent and aggressive behavior, high blood pressure, increased growth of body hair and facial hair, and stroke
Males can experience depression and decrease in sperm production and testicle size, increase breast size
Females experience a decrease in breast size

3. Cannabis Derivatives
Cannabis is the scientific name for the hemp plant
Marijuana- cannabis that is smoked, eaten, or drunk for intoxicating effects
Hash- the dark brown resin collected from the tops of the cannabis plant
Physical and psychological effects
Hallucinogen that has effects of depressant and stimulant.
Effects people differently, some may become talkative and giddy other quiet and withdrawn
Lowers body temperature, but increases the heart rate and blood pressure, stimulates appetite, loss of willpower and motivation, lack of energy and paranoia

4. Cannabis Derivatives Physical and psychological effects cont’d…
More cancer-causing chemicals than cigarette smoke
Damages respiratory system
Interferes with immune system making user susceptible to infections from bacteria
Lowers testosterone in men which decrease sperm production
In females it can cause stillbirths, decreased birth weight, and a condition in the infant similar to fetal alcohol syndrome

5. Inhalants
Substances with breathable fumes that are sniffed and inhaled to give a hallucinogenic or mind-altering high
Glue, spray paint, aerosols, lighter fluid, gas
Depressants
Causes nausea, sneezing, coughing, nosebleeds, fatigue, lack of coordination and loss of appetite, liver and kidney damage, changes in bone marrow, permanent brain damage, hearing loss, limb spasms, blood oxygen depletion
“Gateway” drug- leads to using hard drugs such as heroine

6. Designer and Look Alike Drugs
Designer drugs are synthetic substances meant to imitate the effects of narcotics and hallucinogens
Well known designer drug is Ecstasy or MDMA
Ecstasy gives a short term feeling of euphoria but can result in confusion, depression, paranoia, psychosis, increase in heart rate and blood pressure and even damage to brain cells
Look-alike drugs- made so as to physically resemble specific illegal drugs
Don’t know exactly what you are getting
Some contain high doses of caffeine, sugar, etc.