1. Psychoactive Drugs

2. Psychoactive Drugs
Chemical substance that alters perceptions, mood, or behavior.
Three common psychoactive drugs:
Caffeine
Alcohol
Nicotine
Induce an altered state of consciousness

3. Psychoactive Drugs
People can become dependent upon psychoactive drugs after continued use.
Withdrawal follows if drug use is discontinued.
Withdrawal symptoms are usually the reverse of the drugs effects.
People who use the drugs can also become tolerant of its effects, causing them to use more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect.

4. Types of Psychoactive Drugs
Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
Marijuana

5. Depressants
Drugs (such as alcohol and sedatives) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.
Alcohol is the second most used psychoactive drug
Found in beer, wine, and liquor
Slows thinking, and impairs physical ability
Impairs the parts of the brain responsible for controlling inhibitions and making judgments

6. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
A measure of how much alcohol is in a person’s bloodstream
BAC of .08 considered legal intoxication in most states

7. 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.

8. Stimulants
Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions.
Caffeine
Stimulant found in coffee, chocolate, tea, and some soft drinks.
Provides user with a sense of increased energy, mental alertness, and forced wakefulness

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

10. Stimulants
Cocaine
Stimulant derived from the 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

11. Cocaine

12. Amphetamines
Drugs that stimulate neural activity, speeding up body functions.
Include increased energy and mood changes
Includes: speed, uppers, and methamphetamines
Mimic adrenaline
Can cause irreversible changes in mood

13. Ecstasy
Also called MDMA, this hallucinogenic stimulant produces lower inhibitions, pleasant feelings, and greater acceptance of others.
Even moderate users may experience permanent brain damage.

14. Hallucinogens
Psychedelic (mind-altering) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.
LSD
Powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid.
The effects vary from person to person
Users can be dangerous to themselves and others.

15. Marijuana
Leaves, stems, resin, and flowers form the hemp plant that, when smoked, lower inhibitions and produce feelings of relaxation and mild euphoria.
THC is the active ingredient
Disrupts memory;
lung damage from smoke

16. A Guide to Selective Psychoactive Drugs