Consciousness-Altering Drugs Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 4 groups of these drugs?

A
  • depressants
  • stimulants
  • opiates
  • hallucinogens
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2
Q

Depressants

A
  • reduce nervous system activity resulting in a sense of relaxation and reduced anxiety
  • includes: alcohol, barbiturates/benzodiazepines
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3
Q

Alcohol

A
  • depresses area of brain that prevents inappropriate behavior
  • increases dopamine levels
  • generalized brain inhibition resulting in diminished arousal
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4
Q

What receptor has increased activity when consuming alcohol?

A

-GABA receptor – chloride channel that causes hyperpolarization of membrane

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5
Q

Alcohol Myopia

A

inability to recognize consequences of actions, creating a short-sighted view of the world

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6
Q

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

A
  • caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1)

- characterized by severe memory impairment with changes in mental status and loss of motor skills

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7
Q

Barbiturates/Benzodiazepines

A
  • used as anxiety-reducing and sleep medications

- increase GABA activity, leading to relaxation

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8
Q

Stimulants

A
  • cause increase in arousal in the nervous system
  • increase frequency of APs
  • includes: amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy
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9
Q

Amphetamines

A
  • cause increased arousal by increase release of dopamine, NE, and serotonin at the synapse and decreasing their reuptake
  • leads to: reduction in appetite, decreased need for sleep, increased heart rate and BP, anxiety, delusions, euphoria, paranoia
  • withdrawal causes depression, fatigue and irritability
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10
Q

Cocaine

A
  • decreases reuptake of dopamine, NE, and serotonin
  • similar intoxication and withdrawal effects as amphetamines
  • has anesthetic and vasoconstrictive properties
  • crack is the form of this that can be smoked
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11
Q

Ecstasy

A
  • acts as a hallucinogen combined with an amphetamine
  • causes increased heart rate and BP, blurry vision, sweating, nausea, and hyperthermia, increased alertness, feelings of euphoria
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12
Q

Opiates

A
  • naturally occurring forms

- includes morphines and codeine

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13
Q

Opiods

A
  • semisynthetic forms

- includes oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin

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14
Q

How do opioids/opiates work?

A

bind to opioid receptors in the PNS and CNS causing a decreased reaction to pain and a sense of euphoria

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15
Q

Heroin

A
  • once injected the body rapidly metabolizes this to morphine
  • typically smoked or injected
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16
Q

Hallucinogens

A
  • exact mechanism is unknown but it is thought to be a complex interaction between various NTs especially serotonin
  • causes distortions in reality and fantasy, enhancement of sensory experiences, increased heart rate and BP, dilation of pupils, sweating
17
Q

Marijuana

A
  • leaves and flowers of cannabis
  • active chemical is THC
  • THC acts at cannabinoid receptors, glycine receptors, and opioid receptors
  • THC inhibits GABA activity and indirectly increases dopamine activity
  • causes dry mouth, fatigue, impairment of short term memory, increased heart rate, increased appetite, lowered BP
  • has similar psychological effects to stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens
18
Q

What brain pathway is drug addiction related to?

A

mesolimbic reward pathway (one of 4 dopaminergic pathways in the brain)

19
Q

What brain structures are involved in the mesolimbic reward pathway?

A
  • nucleus accumbens (NAc)
  • ventral tegmental area (VTA)
  • medical forebrain bundle (MFB) – the connection between the NAc and VTA
20
Q

Mesolimbic Reward Pathway

A
  • involved in motivation and emotional response
  • addiction pathway that is activated by all substances that produce psychological dependence; also activated by gambling and falling in love