Drug Classes: Alcohol & Marijuana - Chapter 5

Question 1

Alcohol

Answer 1

• Most commonly used drug
  
  • Euphoria, relaxation, lowered inhibitions
  • Increase GABA activity, then stimulates endorphin and dopamine receptors
  • Tolerance develops gradually
  • Moderate-high risk of dependence
  • Biphasic effect

Question 2

Alcohol Myopia

Answer 2

• Narrow focus on cues related to a person’s current desires and impulses while
  ignoring everything else
• Youth particularly susceptible
• Protracted development of
  frontal lobes

Question 3

Marijuana (Commonly Abused Drugs)

Answer 3

• Made from the leaves and buds of the Cannabis plant
  
  • Euphoria, relaxation, distorted sensory experiences, paranoia
  • THC mimics brain chemicals (anandamide) involved in sleep and memory by binding to cannabinoid receptors
  • Tolerance develops slowly
  • Lower risk of dependence
  • Stimulates hunger; reduces pain

Question 4

Marijuana Effects on the Brain

Answer 4

• Impairs memory, executive functioning, and motor coordination
  
  • Worse memory, attention, and decision-making than controls
  • Altered brain activity compared to controls even when successfully
    completing tasks
  • Distribution of cannabinoid receptors in the brain correspond to cognitive deficits

Question 5

Marijuana: Good or Bad?

Answer 5

• Legalization in Canada took place in 2018
• Manitoba has set the legal age for use, purchase, and possession of marijuana at 19