Psychoactive Drug States

Human drug use has occurred for millenia Psychoactive drugs: chemicals that affect mental

processes and behavior by their effects on the brain The most abused drugs (cocaine, heroin, amphetamines)

stimulate the brain’s reward circuits These drugs trick the brain into thinking that these substances

are good for us. Most commonly used & abused psychoactive drug

categories: Hallucinogens, opiates, depressants, stimulants

Opiates

Includes morphine, heroin, codeine…all made from the opium poppy

Highly addictive Heroin: developed in Germany in the 1800’s as a pain

reliever, abandoned because of addictiveness Injecting heroin: strong rush of euphoria that erases all

worries and awareness of bodily needs, although cognitive functions are intact

Heroin use underlies much of the property crime in cities around the world.

Deppressants Drugs that slow down mental and physical activity

by inhibiting transmission of CNS nerve impulses They don’t generally make people feel sad In appropriate doses, depressants can relieve

symptoms of pain or anxiety, but if overused they are addictive

Barbituates: sleeping pills, but they reduce REM-sleep time

Benzodiazepines (valium, xanax) are used to treat anxiety

Depressants: Alcohol One of the first psychoactive substances used by humans Alcohol is hard to metabolize/when blood alcohol levels

reach .1% (1/1000 of the blood), individual experiences impaired coordination, memory, judgment, emotional instability

5 to 10% of Americans abuse alcohol, alcohol abuse generally begins with binge drinking

Alcohol use by pregnant women can cause FAS Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death in

people ages 15-25

Stimulants Speed up CNS activity, resulting in boost in

mental and physical activity Effects: pleasurable sensations, increased self-

confidence, greater energy, euphoria, dehydration, paranoia

Examples: cocaine, crack, amphetamines (speed), MDMA (ecstasy), nicotine, caffeine

Smoking causes 350,000 deaths annually

Dependence and Addiction Tolerance: the reduced effectiveness of a drug after

repeated use Physical dependence: process by which the body adjusts

to – and comes to need – a drug for its everyday functioning.

Addiction: when a person continues to use a drug despite its bad effects, may be physical or psychological

Withdrawal: painful symptoms and cravings experienced when drug use is eliminated or reduced

Psychological dependence: a desire to use a drug, even though there is no physical dependence

Hallucinogens

Drugs that create hallucinations or alter perceptions of the external environment and inner awareness

Examples: mescaline, psilocybine (made from mushrooms), LSD, PCPPCP (angel dust) originally used as a veterinary

anesthetic, is highly addictive, user feels removed from parts of his or her personality

Hallucinogens Cannabis = derived from the hemp plant, is a mild

hallucinogen Active ingredient: THC Pleasant effects: altered perception, sedation, pain relief

Medical use: reduce nausea from chemotherapy Unpleasant effects: fear, anxiety, confusion Psychologically addictive, not highly physically addictive How does it work?

In the brain, THC causes the release of dopamine, which activates reward centers

Cannabis receptors in the brain have been discovered, which means that our brains make THC-like chemicals