drugs Flashcards
what do psychoactive substances do?
alter brain chemistry by crossing the blood-brain barrier and modifying synaptic transmission in some way (typically through one of the neurotransmitter stages)
what do agonists do?
increase activity of a neurotransmitter system
what do antagonists do?
inhibit or decrease activity of a neurotransmitter system
what are some examples of agonists?
opiates and amphetamines
what do opiates do?
bind to opiod receptors (which normally bind to endorphins) activating them and producing analgesic effects (removing pain), as well as feelings of reward (dopamine release)
what do amphetamines do?
bind to receptors, stimulating the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, as well as blocking their reuptake
what are two examples of antagonists?
antipsychotics and naloxone?
how do antipsychotics work?
by binding to dopamine receptors, which prevents substances (like dopamine) from binding and exerting their own effects
what can naloxone do?
reverse opiate overdoses because it binds to opioid receptors, which neutralizes the effects of circulating opioids by preventing them from binding to the same receptors
is naloxone a fast process?
noooopeeee
what is tolerance?
decrease in response to drug, whereby larger doses are needed to achieve similar effects
what is the body attempting to do with tolerance?
maintain homeostasis
what happens with withdrawal?
strong psychological reactions that are opposite to those which are associated with the drug one is withdrawing from
what is compensatory response?
physiological reactions opposite to that of the drug
what happens with the compensatory response (example)?
many associate certain locations or people with a certain activity, such as smoking
historically, a distinction had been drawn between substances that are ________________ addicting and _____________________ addicting
physiologically and psychologically
how do depressants work?
reducing/depress nervous system activity
what can depressants do in moderate and high doses?
moderate: induce a more relaxed state and reduce tension/anxiety
high: can inhibit critical systems (like breathing) to the point of danger/death
that larger the dose, the ___________ tolerance develops
faster
what is one of the most widely used drugs and depressants in the world?
alcohol
what are the two phases that alcohol exerts its effects?
initially increases GABA, then decreases glutamate