1. Drugs & Consciousness

2. Drugs & the Brain Blood brain barrier – layer of capillaries that protect the brain Blood brain barrier – layer of capillaries that protect the brain Psychoactive drugs – small enough to pass through blood-brain barrier Psychoactive drugs – small enough to pass through blood-brain barrier  Change our perceptions & moods by acting on neurons & neurotransmitters in the brain

3. Remember that drugs are either…. Agonists Agonists Enhance NT’s effect by causing it to be released, mimicking it, or by flooding the synapse & over- stimulating receiving cell Enhance NT’s effect by causing it to be released, mimicking it, or by flooding the synapse & over- stimulating receiving cell Antagonists Antagonists Block NT from being released, block it from being received Block NT from being released, block it from being received If a drug is used often, a tolerance is created for the drug. - Thus you need more of the drug to feel the same effect. If you stop using a drug you can develop withdrawal symptoms.

4. Addiction – Compulsive Cravings Despite Adverse Effects Psychological dependence Psychological dependence – Used to relieve stress or negative emotions Physical dependence – User feels physical pain & intense cravings when not taking drug

5. Depressants Slow down body processes by calming neural activity Slow down body processes by calming neural activity Depressants include: Alcohol Alcohol Anxiolytics (barbiturates and tranquilizers) Anxiolytics (barbiturates and tranquilizers) Opiates Opiates

6. Stimulants Speed up body processes by exciting neural activity More powerful ones (like cocaine) give people feelings of invincibility. Caffeine, nicotine

7. Hallucinogens Psychedelics Causes changes in perceptions of reality Evoke sensory images in absence of sensory input Reverse tolerance or synergistic effect (less is needed to produce same effect if used often)

8. Barbiturates (Tranquilizers) Depress NS activity Depress NS activity Agonist for GABA Agonist for GABA Induces sleep, reduces anxiety Induces sleep, reduces anxiety Impairs memory & judgment Impairs memory & judgment Possible death Possible death

9. Caffeine/Nicotine Caffeine – most widely consumed drug Caffeine – most widely consumed drug – Agonist for epinephrine – Agonist for dopamine (in prefrontal cortex) – Tolerance if used often – Effects include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia Nicotine Nicotine – Agonist for ACh (acetylcholine) and dopamine – Reduces circulation, increases heart rate & blood pressure, suppresses appetite, reduces stress

10. Mouse Party Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addictio n/drugs/mouse.html to fill out the rest of the types of drugs (besides barbiturates/tranquilizers, caffeine/nicotine, which were described above) Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addictio n/drugs/mouse.html to fill out the rest of the types of drugs (besides barbiturates/tranquilizers, caffeine/nicotine, which were described above) http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addictio n/drugs/mouse.html http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addictio n/drugs/mouse.html

11. Other Negative Effects of Marijuana Use Harder on lungs than cigarette smoke (Wu et al.) Harder on lungs than cigarette smoke (Wu et al.) Brain cell loss accelerates with large doses (Landfield et al.) Brain cell loss accelerates with large doses (Landfield et al.) Memory impaired long after marijuana’s effect ahs worn off (Pope & Yurgelun-Todd; Smith) Memory impaired long after marijuana’s effect ahs worn off (Pope & Yurgelun-Todd; Smith) Marijuana suppresses immune system (Childers & Breivogel) Marijuana suppresses immune system (Childers & Breivogel) Lowers testosterone and sperm count in men (http://www.pbs.org/thebotanyofdesire/altering-consciousness.php) Lowers testosterone and sperm count in men (http://www.pbs.org/thebotanyofdesire/altering-consciousness.php)http://www.pbs.org/thebotanyofdesire/altering-consciousness.php

12. BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH Biological Influences Biological Influences – Genetic predispositions Identical twins = increased risk if one has addiction Identical twins = increased risk if one has addiction Adopted more susceptible if biological parent used drugs Adopted more susceptible if biological parent used drugs Psychological Inf. – Depression – Stress or feelings of failure – Reinforcement or observational learning Social/Cultural Inf. Social/Cultural Inf. – Society’s expectations & acceptance/lack of – Peers influence drug use (more likely to use if friends do)

13. Prevention Education is related to drug use. Roughly 15% of U.S. college dropouts smoke, and 42% of high school dropouts smoke (Ladd, 1998) Education is related to drug use. Roughly 15% of U.S. college dropouts smoke, and 42% of high school dropouts smoke (Ladd, 1998) Hope matters. Those who believe their lives are meaningless are more likely to use drugs (Newcomb & Harlow, 1986). Hope matters. Those who believe their lives are meaningless are more likely to use drugs (Newcomb & Harlow, 1986). Genetics plays a role. Gene has been found to occur more often among alcohol- dependent people (Noble, 1993) Peers count. If the friends you hang out with DON’T use drugs, there is a good chance you won’t either!