Consciousness-Altering Drugs 4.4 Flashcards

1
Q

Depressants

A

reduce nervous system activity, resulting in a sense of relaxation and reduced anxiety.

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2
Q

Effects of Alcohol

A
  • increases activity of the
    GABA receptor (a cl channel that causes hyperpolarization of the membrane)
  • hyperpolarization causes
    generalized brain inhibition at the physiological level, resulting in diminished arousal at moderate doses.
  • Causes a sense of mild euphoria
  • High Doses: Logical reasoning and motor skills are affected,
    and fatigue may result
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3
Q

Disinhibition (with alcohol)

A
  • lack of self-control
  • occurs because the centers of the brain that prevent inappropriate behavior are also depressed
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4
Q

Alcohol Myopia

A

inability to recognize consequences of actions

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5
Q

Alcoholism effect on body

A
  • Can cause Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, pancreatic damage, gastric or duodenal ulcers and GI cancer
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6
Q

Types of sedatives

A
  • barbiturates and benzodiazepines
  • Barbiturates are originally used to reduce anxiety and sleep medication
  • Replaced by benzodiazepines b/c they’re less prone to overdose
  • Increases GABA = Relaxation
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7
Q

Stimulants

A
  • increases the frequency of action potentials
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8
Q

Amphetamines

A
  • cause increased arousal by increasing release of dopamine,
    norepinephrine, and serotonin at the synapse and decreasing their reuptake
  • increases arousal and causes a reduction in appetite and decreased need for sleep.
  • Prolonged use result in stroke or brain damage
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9
Q

Physiological effects of Amphetamines

A

increase in heart rate and blood pressure

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10
Q

Psychological effects of Amphetamines

A

euphoria, hypervigilance (being “on edge”), anxiety, delusions of grandeur, and paranoia

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11
Q

Mechanism for Cocaine

A
  • acts on dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin synapses, but cocaine decreases reuptake of the neurotransmitters instead.
  • Similar to amphetamines
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12
Q

Cocaine

A
  • has anesthetic and vasoconstrictive properties
  • Similar to amphetamines
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13
Q

Physiological effects of Ecstasy

A

increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, blurry vision, sweating, nausea, and hyperthermia

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14
Q

Psychological effects of Ecstasy

A

feelings of euphoria, increased alertness, and an overwhelming sense of well-being and connectedness

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15
Q

Ecstasy

A
  • acts as a hallucinogen combined with an
    amphetamine
  • Designer amphetamine, its mechanism and effects
    similar to other amphetamines.
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16
Q

What’re Opiates, Opioids considered?

A
  • Type of narcotic
  • Known as painkillers
  • Derived from poppy plant
17
Q

Opiates

A
  • Naturally occurring forms.
  • Morphine and codeine
  • Heroin is diacetylmorphine
18
Q

Opioids

A
  • Semisynthetic derivatives
  • oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin
  • Methadone is a long-acting opiod with lower risk of overdose
19
Q

Mechanism for Opiates

A
  • bind to opioid receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system.
  • They act as endorphin agonists and cause a decreased reaction to pain and a sense
    of euphoria.
20
Q

Hallucinogens

A
  • cause introspection, distortions of reality and fantasy, and enhancement of sensory experiences.
  • peyote, mescaline, ketamine, and psilocybin-containing mushrooms & LSD
21
Q

Physiological effects of Hallucinogens

A

increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilation of pupils,
sweating, and increased body temperature

22
Q

Mechanism of Hallucinogens

A

Unknown

23
Q

Tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC) Mechanism

A
  • acting at cannabinoid receptors, glycine receptors, and opioid receptors.
  • How “high” achieved is unknown
  • inhibits GABA activity and indirectly increases dopamine activity (causing pleasure)
24
Q

Mesolimbic Reward Pathway

A
  • Highly related to drug addiction
  • includes the nucleus accumbens (NAc), the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and the connection between them called the medial forebrain
    bundle (MFB).
  • activation accounts for the positive reinforcement of substance use.
  • Gambling and falling in
    love also activate this pathway.