Consciousness-Altering Drugs

Question 1

What are the 4 groups of these drugs?

Answer 1

• depressants
• stimulants
• opiates
• hallucinogens

Question 2

Depressants

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Alcohol

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What receptor has increased activity when consuming alcohol?

Answer 4

-GABA receptor – chloride channel that causes hyperpolarization of membrane

Question 5

Alcohol Myopia

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Answer 6

• caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1)

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

Question 7

Barbiturates/Benzodiazepines

Answer 7

• used as anxiety-reducing and sleep medications

- increase GABA activity, leading to relaxation

Question 8

Stimulants

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Amphetamines

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Cocaine

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Ecstasy

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

Opiates

Answer 12

• naturally occurring forms

- includes morphines and codeine

Question 13

Opiods

Answer 13

• semisynthetic forms

- includes oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin

Question 14

How do opioids/opiates work?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Heroin

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Hallucinogens

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

Marijuana

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

What brain pathway is drug addiction related to?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What brain structures are involved in the mesolimbic reward pathway?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Mesolimbic Reward Pathway

Answer 20

• 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