Chapter 4

Question 1

What are the high-risk liability drugs?

Answer 1

Cocaine, heroin, and nicotine

Question 2

What are the low-risk liability drugs?

Answer 2

Alcohol, cannabis, ecstasy and amphetamines

Question 3

What do drugs promote the release of?

Answer 3

Dopamine

Question 4

explain Alcohol:

Answer 4

Alcohol acts on neurotransmitter systems in the brain to dampen down excitatory messages and promote inhabitation of neural activity.

Question 5

Explain nicotine

Answer 5

Nicotine is an active ingredient in tobacco. It acts in brain receptors that would usually recognise the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It activates natural altering mechanisms in the brain which causes the concentration and soothing effect that smokers feel. Causes no deleterious effect on the brain but is damaging to lung and can cause lung and heart disease.

Question 6

Explain cannabis

Answer 6

Cannabis acts on an important natural system in the brain that uses neurotransmitters that are chemically like cannabis. This system deals with muscle control and the regulation of pain sensitivity. People intoxicated with cannabis stuggle with complex mental tasks like driving. If used in young people may cause schizophrenia.

Question 7

Explain amphetamines

Answer 7

man-made chemicals that include Dexedrine, speed and methamphetamine derivative called Ecstasy. These drugs cause the release of two naturally occurring neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin which causes a sense of well-being and a dream-like state. Dexedrine speed mainly release dopamine and ecstasy and d-LSD is serotonin. Amphetamines are psychostimulants. Ecstasy may cause a decrease in serotonin, which accounts for the “mid-week blues” ecstasy uses experience. Speed and Dexedrine can cause schizophrenia.

Question 8

Explain heroin

Answer 8

man-made chemical that comes from the plant product morphine and is injected or smoked and causes and immediate pleasurable sensation which is caused by the effect of endorphins on reward mechanisms. Like cannabis, it hijacks a system in the brain that employs naturally occurring neurotransmitters known as endorphins, which are important in pain control. This pleasure is quicky subside to be replaced by a “craving” feeling. It can kill in the slightest overdose because it suppresses breathing reflexes.

Question 9

Explain cocaine

Answer 9

Is a plant-derived chemical which causes an intense pleasurable feeling that acts as a powerful psychostimulant and causes you to become violent and aggressive. Like amphetamine, it makes more serotonin and dopamine available in the brain. Has a life-threatening risk of overdose