Drug Affects Flashcards
Amphetamine (MDMA) uses
Appetite suppressant Decongestant Narcolepsy ADHD "Energy boosts"
Amphetamine (MDMA) neural actions
Enhances activity of norepinephrine and dopamine
Amphetamine (MDMA) LD/ HD Effects
LD: euphoria, increased sociability/ alertness/ heart rate, impaired judgment
HD: hallucinations, panic, paranoid delusions, emotional agitation
Amphetamine (MDMA) withdrawal symptoms
Apathy, prolonged sleep, irritability, depression
Cocaine (crack) uses
Coca leaves chewed by laborers in Latin America to resist hunger and fatigue; used to be in Coca Cola
Cocaine (crack) neural actions
Blocks re-uptake, increases activity of dopamine; particularly in “pleasure pathway”
Cocaine (crack) LD/ HD effects
LD: euphoria, increased alertness (short-lived)
HD: paranoia, cardiac irregularity
Cocaine (crack) withdrawal symptoms
Apathy, boredom
Opioids (morphine, heroin) uses
Analgesic: pain relief during/ after surgery or serious injury/ illness
Opioids (morphine, heroin) neural actions
Activates body’s pain relievers: endorphins, enkephalins
Opioids (morphine, heroin) LD/ HD effects
LD: Euphoria, drowsiness, pain relief
HD: respiration suppression, death
Opioids (morphine, heroin) withdrawal symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, chills, muscle aches, insomnia
Marijuana uses
Medical benefits: glaucoma, nausea reduction (cancer)
Legal in Canada for medical purposes; very contentious in the U.S.
Marijuana neural actions
Mechanism is THC, but little is known of the exact neural effects
Marijuana LD/ HD effects
LD: mood enhancement (amusement), heightened sensory experiences
HD: paranoia, hallucination, dizziness
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms
Classic “withdrawal” is rare, but irritability/ sleep loss are reported; chronic-use effects can include impaired memory, infertility
Hallucinogens (LSD) uses
Was originally derived in experiments designed to enhance public health interventions, like for ergotism
Hallucinogens (LSD) neural actions
Different drugs mimic varying neurotransmitters (LSD: serotonin; mescaline: norepinephrine)
Hallucinogens (LSD) LD/ HD effects
LD: sensory enhancement, depersonalization, hallucination, pupil dilation
HD: “bad trips”
Hallucinogens (LSD) withdrawal symptoms
Tolerance builds quickly, but withdrawal is very rare; flashbacks can occur
