Consciousness-Altering Drugs 4.4 Flashcards
Depressants
reduce nervous system activity, resulting in a sense of relaxation and reduced anxiety.
Effects of Alcohol
- 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
Disinhibition (with alcohol)
- lack of self-control
- occurs because the centers of the brain that prevent inappropriate behavior are also depressed
Alcohol Myopia
inability to recognize consequences of actions
Alcoholism effect on body
- Can cause Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, pancreatic damage, gastric or duodenal ulcers and GI cancer
Types of sedatives
- 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
Stimulants
- increases the frequency of action potentials
Amphetamines
- 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
Physiological effects of Amphetamines
increase in heart rate and blood pressure
Psychological effects of Amphetamines
euphoria, hypervigilance (being “on edge”), anxiety, delusions of grandeur, and paranoia
Mechanism for Cocaine
- acts on dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin synapses, but cocaine decreases reuptake of the neurotransmitters instead.
- Similar to amphetamines
Cocaine
- has anesthetic and vasoconstrictive properties
- Similar to amphetamines
Physiological effects of Ecstasy
increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, blurry vision, sweating, nausea, and hyperthermia
Psychological effects of Ecstasy
feelings of euphoria, increased alertness, and an overwhelming sense of well-being and connectedness
Ecstasy
- acts as a hallucinogen combined with an
amphetamine - Designer amphetamine, its mechanism and effects
similar to other amphetamines.
What’re Opiates, Opioids considered?
- Type of narcotic
- Known as painkillers
- Derived from poppy plant
Opiates
- Naturally occurring forms.
- Morphine and codeine
- Heroin is diacetylmorphine
Opioids
- Semisynthetic derivatives
- oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin
- Methadone is a long-acting opiod with lower risk of overdose
Mechanism for Opiates
- 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.
Hallucinogens
- cause introspection, distortions of reality and fantasy, and enhancement of sensory experiences.
- peyote, mescaline, ketamine, and psilocybin-containing mushrooms & LSD
Physiological effects of Hallucinogens
increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilation of pupils,
sweating, and increased body temperature
Mechanism of Hallucinogens
Unknown
Tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC) Mechanism
- acting at cannabinoid receptors, glycine receptors, and opioid receptors.
- How “high” achieved is unknown
- inhibits GABA activity and indirectly increases dopamine activity (causing pleasure)
Mesolimbic Reward Pathway
- 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.
