Drug dependence Flashcards
psychoactive drugs
drugs that can alter our consciousness and perceptions
what are the 4 main categories of psychoactive drugs
depressants
stimulants
hallucinogens
opioids
depressants
drugs that lower body’s basic functions and neural activity. decrease HR, BP, processing/reaction time
3 categories of depressants
alcohol
barbiturates
benzodiazepines
moat popular depressant is
alcohol
depressants vasodilate at
low
depressants vasoconstrict at
high
alcohol
decreased inhibitions and cognitive control
lack of coordination, slurring of speech
barbiturates
to induce sleep and reduce anxiety
depress cns
anesthesia and anticonvulsants
benzodiazepines
sleep aids, anti-convulsants/anxeity
enhance brain’s response to GABA
zelam/zolam
stimulants
drugs that excite cns
increase hr/bp, alertness
caffeine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, nicotine
the effect of stimulants is
increased glucose metabolism in brain
hallucinogens/psychedelics
distorted perceptions/hallucinations. seeing or hearing things different from what they truly are
mescaline, psilocybin, peyote
Opioids/opiates
opiates - natural
opioids - synthetic
decreased ins, hr, bp
sleep and relaxation
analgesic (reduce perception of pain)
overdose leads to respiratory failure
alcohol is absorbed through
cell membrane
what depressant used with alcohol will lead to death?
barbiturates
short-acting benzodiazepines to treat
insomnia
long-acting benzodiazepines to treat
anxiety
opiates act on
endorphin receptors
depressants act on
GABA receptors
caffeine works by
inhibiting adenosine receptors
this drug causes the brain to release dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin depleting the brain’s supply
cocaine
amphetamine works by
blocking the reuptake of dopamine stimulating an increase in release of dopamine from presynaptic membrane
homeostasis
state in which the body maintains temperature, heartbeat, metabolism, etc
routes of drug entry
oral
injection
inhalation
what is the slowest route of drug consumption?
oral since it goes through GI tract
what is the fastest route for drug consumption?
injection
when drug like a nicotine patch is absorbed through the skin. this is called
transdermal
drugs gotten through needle stuck in muscle
intramuscular
where in the brain is dopamine produced?
mid brain - ventral tegmental area (VTA)
mesolimbic pathway
NAcc, amygdala, hippocampus
which substance is responsible for feelings of satisfaction ?
serotonin
tolerance
you get used to a drug so much that you need more to achieve the same effect
cross-tolerance
reduction in efficacy or responsiveness to a novel drug due to a common cns target
intoxication
when drug enters a body and exerts effect. behavioral and psychological effects on person (drug-specific)
withdrawal
exits after a period of use
acute withdrawal
few weeks, physical symptoms, differs from person to person
post-acute withdrawal
fewer physical symptoms, more psychological/emotional, same for everyone
