Chapter 4: States of consciousness (Drugs) Flashcards
What characterizes substance use disorders?
Using more of the substance than intended and continuing despite adverse consequences
What are the effects of stimulants when used?
Alertness, euphoria, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations
What are the effects of sedative-hypnotics?
Increased relaxation, sleep, motor disturbance, memory loss
They are depressants
What is hypnosis?
A state of extreme self-focus and attention with minimal attention to external stimuli
What is the central feature of meditation?
Clearing the mind to achieve a state of relaxed awareness and focus
What are physical and psychological dependence?
(Substance abuse)
Physical dependence: changes in normal bodily functions
* They will experience withdrawal
Psychological dependence: an emotional rather than physical need for the drug often to relieve psychological distress
What are tolerance and withdrawl?
(substance abuse)
Tolerance: The need for more of a substance to achieve effects previously experienced at lower doses
Withdrawal: Includes a variety of negative symptoms experiences when drug use is discontinued
What drugs are stimulants?
Cocaine, Adderall, methamphetamines (ecstasy or molly)
What drugs are sedative-hypnotics?
Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (Xanax)
What are the characteristics of opiates?
Pain relief, euphoria, sleepiness, possible death from respiratory function
What drugs are opiates?
Opium, heroin, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, Vicodin, methadone, and prescription pain relievers
What are the effects of hallucinogens?
Perceptual changes with high variability in effects based on strain, method of ingestion, and individual differences
What drugs are hallucinogens?
Marijuana, LSD, peyote, mescaline, DMT, dissociative anesthetics including ketamine and PCP (angel dust)
Mescaline and LSD are serotonin agonists
PCP (angel dust) and ketamine act as agonists of the NMDA glutamate receptor
What is a depressant?
(substance abuse)
- A drug that suppresses CNS activity
- Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are agonists of GABA
- Both are often prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia
Alcohol is associated with decreased reaction time and visual acuity, lowers level of alertness, and reduction in behavior control
What is a stimulant?
(substance abuse)
- Drugs that increase neural activity
- Most are agonists to dopamine
- Caffeine antagonizes adenosine activity (adenosine promotes sleep)
What is methadone?
- A synthetic opioid that is less euphorigenic than heroine and smaller drugs
- Methadone clinics help people who previously struggled with an opioid addition manage withdrawal symptoms
- Codeine has a relatively low potency and is often prescribed for minor pain
What are hallucinogenics?
- One of a class of drugs that results in a profound alteration in sensory and perceptual experiences
- Vivid visual hallucinations
- Mescaline and LSD are serotonin agonists
- PCP (angel dust) and ketamine act as agonists of the NMDA glutamate receptor
How does addiction hijack the brain?
- Craving
- Loss of control
- Continuing involvement
What are the mechanics of addiction?
- Drugs cause a surge in dopamine which plays a role in memory and learning
- Dopamine interacts with glutamate to take over the brain’s reward system
