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Types of Psychoactive Drugs How they work
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4 WAYS THAT DRUGS WORK: 1.Some drugs, like heroin and LSD, mimic the effects of a natural neurotransmitter 2.Others, like PCP, block receptors and thereby prevent neuronal messages from getting through 3.Some, like cocaine, interfere with the molecules that are responsible for transporting neurotransmitters back into the neurons that released them 4.Finally, some drugs, such as Methamphetamine, act by causing neurotransmitters to be released in greater amounts than normal 4 WAYS THAT DRUGS WORK: 1.Some drugs, like heroin and LSD, mimic the effects of a natural neurotransmitter 2.Others, like PCP, block receptors and thereby prevent neuronal messages from getting through 3.Some, like cocaine, interfere with the molecules that are responsible for transporting neurotransmitters back into the neurons that released them 4.Finally, some drugs, such as Methamphetamine, act by causing neurotransmitters to be released in greater amounts than normal
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A psychoactive drug is a substance that alters perceptions and mood Dependence can be physical: Physiological need Marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms Or dependence can be psychological: Eg to relieve negative emotions Tolerance is needing more of the drug to get the same effect
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Depressants Reduce neural activity Slow body functions Alcohol, barbiturates, opiates Stimulants Excite neural activity Speed up body functions Caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine Hallucinogens Psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and cause sensory images (hallucinations) in the absence of sensory input LSD, marijuana http://www.ceida.net.au/drugs. asp http://www.ceida.net.au/drugs. asp
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* Affect CNS by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, & muscular tension * Increase attentiveness, less need for sleep and food, can reduce anxiety * Caffeine can improve mood by mimicking brain chemical, adenosine Eg. amphetamines, ecstasy, nicotine, caffeine and cocaine COCAINE: Snorted, smoked, or injected Increases well being, confidence, alertness, decreases appetite Affects the neurotransmitter “dopamine”: normally, excess dopamine in a synapse is reabsorbed by the releasing axon Cocaine blocks reabsorption, flooding brain with dopamine pleasurable sensations Afterwards, no dopamine is left over, and this produces the “crash” – feeling down, depressed once drug is worn off Very addictive STIMULANTS
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DEPRESSANTS (“downers”) Reduce anxiety, slow down mental function, neurons fire more slowly Inhibit brain’s normal functioning Speech can become slurred, muscle control is reduced Eg. alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepenes Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma- aminobutyric acid, which results in sedative, hypnotic (sleep-inducing), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and amnesic action. [2] These properties make benzodiazepines useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, agitation, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and as a premedication for medical or dental procedures.neurotransmittergamma- aminobutyric acidsedativehypnotic anxiolyticanticonvulsantmuscle relaxantamnesic [2]anxiety insomniaagitationseizuresmuscle spasmsalcohol withdrawal premedication
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Increase relaxation, relieve pain & anxiety Also have a euphoric effect Eg. morphine & heroin, oxycodone, codeine
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HALLUCINOGENS Psychedelic drugs produce a loss of contact with reality: Produce changes in perceptions, like: HALLUCINATIONS -- perceptions that have no direct external cause – seeing, hearing, feeling, etc. things that don’t exist. Hallucinations can be caused by hypnosis, meds, withdrawal from drugs, psychological breakdowns, prolonged sleep deprivation Eg. Marijuana – scientific name - Cannabis sativa (Indian hemp)active ingredient THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) It is usually smoked by various methods, but is also eaten in many various forms – there are also lotions for medicinal uses Can produce euphoria, well being, but can also produce paranoia and sadness Makes sensory experiences more intense Magnifies both + and – feelings Impairs memory
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