CHANGES IN LEVELS OF ALERTNESS AS INDICATED BY BRAIN WAVE PATTERNS DUE TO DRUG INDUCED ASC / STIMULANTS / DEPRESSANTS

Question 1

DRUG INDUCED ASC - PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS (Powerpoint: page 24 (Summary table: Psychoactive drugs and their effects on consciousness and brainwaves)

• Modifying (INCREASING or DECREASING)
• Usually, psychoactive drugs can lead to TOLERANCE and DEPENDENCY
• e.g. Depressants
• e.g. Stimulants
• e.g. Opiates
• e.g. marijuana

Answer 1

• These are chemical substances
• Affect the nervous system and brain acitivity
• Cross the blood brain barrier and THEN alter brain chemistry. This is usually done my modifying the activity of certain neurotransmitters
• Impact on our consciousness by:
  = Altering our thoughts
  = Altering out feelings
  = Altering our perceptions and behaviors

Question 2

ALERTNESS AND BRAINWAVE PATTERNS

Answer 2

• Psychoactive drugs: affect our STATE of consciousness

- Psychoactive drugs: Affect our ALERTNESS and brainwave patterns

Question 3

DEPRESSANTS: Act in an inhibitory WAY

Answer 3

• Depresses the Nervous System
• Decreases Alertness
• Presence of SLOWER brainwaves
• e.g. Benzodiazepines
• e.g. Alcohol

Question 4

DEPRESSANT: BENZODIAZEPINES - Page: 20
* The risk increases the longer a person takes the drug

• Valium
• Serapax
• Rohypnol

Answer 4

• Reduces ALERTNESS and ANXIETY
• In the form of tranquilizers. May be used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and stress reactions
• Tolerance develops as ADDICTION grows

Question 5

DEPRESSANT: ALCOHOL
* ADDITIONAL INFO: 2 types of INHIBITIONS
= Inhibitory neurons
= Negative symptoms (e.g. Risk Taking)

• Powerpoint: Page 21 (Summary Table)

Answer 5

• A psychoactive drug
• A mind altering substance
• Depresses the nervous system
• High doses = Slows vital life functions and can cause blackouts, comas and death
• During adolescence (a time of RAPID development) = alcohol consumption can have permanent effects

Question 6

STIMULANTS

STIMULANTS: CAFFEINE (“A feel good” response or gives you the “jitters” - trembling hands, heart palpitations, etc.)

• Small dose = > concentration and may improve memory
• High dose = Make make you feel anxious and make you have trouble sleeping

Answer 6

• Increase Nervous System activity
• Tend to increase alertness and presence of higher frequency brainwaves (beta and alpha)
• Increases the ANS (Autonomic system) such as blood pressure and heart rate
• The nervous system quickly arouses beta brain wave activity
• Caffeine is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream
• Increases the alertness AND decreases sleepiness
• Withdrawal symptoms = headaches, feeling less alert, difficulty sleeping, difficult to concentrate

Question 7

STIMULANTS: COCAINE

• > Nervous System activity
• > Brain activity

Answer 7

• Put in medicines to relieve pain
• usually injected, smoked or inhaled
• Produces short BUT intense stimulation
• The HYPER alter state increases ALERTNESS
• Produces intense immediate euphoria
• Relieves fatigue and decreases pain
• Increases confidence and diminishes judgement

Question 8

RISKS OF COCAINE

• HIGH RISK
• LARGE DOSES
• REGULAR USE

Answer 8

• High risk: lead people to feel depressed, anxious, unmotivated, bored and CRAVING more
• Large doses can lead to: paranoia, convulsions, vomiting, heart failure and death
• Regular use: can lead to respiratory complication, brain damage, psychosis AND chronic depression

Question 9

AMPHETAMINES

• Referred to as drug speed and ecstasy
• Originally used to increase stamina in soldiers
• Tolerance can be developed and psychological addiction is a serious risk

Answer 9

• Increase alertness and arousal
• Increased frequency in brainwaves
• Boosts mood and confidence
• Brings feelings of euphoria and intense concentration
• Dangerous physically: Heart rate and blood pressure
• Large amounts = Psychosis, including hallucinations