B1:8 Flashcards
What are drugs?
It is a chemical that alter the way your brain or body works. They can alter you behaviour as well as your metabolism
Why may some beneficial drugs have to be prescribed by a doctor?
Side effects
Interference with other medication
Harmful because of any conditions
Harmful if taken too often
Name some legal drugs taken for recreation
Caffeine
Nicotine in tobacco
Alcohol
What happens when your body become tolerant to a drug?
You may need to increase the dose to get the same effects
What happens when you become addicted to a drug?
Your body may not work properly without the drug. Such as cocaine and heroin
What are some withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug?
Nausea Diarrhoea Vomiting Shaking Hallucinations Craving for the drug
What is rehabilitation?
It is a special clinic where you do not take the drug for a few days and the withdrawal symptoms fade and you start feeling better, until they can cope without it
Depressants
Alcohol, solvents, temazepam. These slow down the brain and nerve activity
Painkillers
Aspirin, paracetamol. These block nerve impulses
Stimulants
Nicotine, caffeine, ecstasy. This increases the brain activity and counteracts depression
Performance enhancers
Anabolic steroids. These increase muscle development..
Hallucinogens
Cannabis, LSD. These distort what you hear
How do depressants work?
They reduce activity at the synapses. They bind to the receptor molecules on the next neurone and block transmission of the nerve impulses
How do stimulants work?
They cause more transmitter substance to cross the synapse. The opposite of depressants
Examples of some class A drugs and the penalties for possession and dealing
Cocaine, heroin, LSD. 7 years in prison for possession. Up to life imprisonment for dealing
Examples of some class B drugs and the penalties for possession and dealing
Amphetamines, cannabis, Ritalin. Up to 5 years in prison for possession. Up to 14 years for dealing
Examples of some class C drugs and the penalties for possession and dealing
Temazepam, anabolic steroids. Up to 2years in prison for possession. Up to 14 years for dealing.
What are new drugs tested on before they are licenced?
Laboratory animals and human tissue. They can be trialled on human volunteers.
What is a blind trial?
Two groups of volunteers do not know who are receiving the new drug and who is receiving the existing drug or placebo
What is a double trial?
When the volunteers and doctors collecting data do not know who is receiving the new drug. This avoids experimental bias.
What is the placebo effect?
It is when people sometime feel better because they feel they are receiving the drug when they are not.
