Drugs

Question 1

Psychoactive Drugs

Answer 1

alter perceptions, mood, or behavior through their effect on neurotransmitters; must be able to cross the blood-brain barrier

Question 2

blood-brain barrier

Answer 2

prevents harmful substances from entering brain tissue

Question 3

Agonists

Answer 3

bind with receptor sites, increasing neurotransmitter activity

Question 4

Antagonists

Answer 4

block or suppress the activity of neurotransmitters

Question 5

substance or addictive-related disorders

Answer 5

use, intoxication, and withdrawal of 10 substances plus an “other” category

Question 6

Physical Dependence or Addiction

Answer 6

a psychological state in which drug use is necessary to prevent withdrawal symptoms

Question 7

Psychological Dependence

Answer 7

continues use despite adverse effects to maintain a sense of well-being, including a preoccupation with obtaining the drug

Question 8

Tolerance

Answer 8

increasingly large doses are necessary to achieve the same effect due to neuroadaptation

Question 9

Withdrawal

Answer 9

Symptoms that occur with discontinuing us, including anxiety, chills, insomnia, dizziness, headaches, and diarrhea

Question 10

Depressants

Answer 10

inhibit functions of the central nervous system (CNS); increase the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), reducing brain activity, breathing, and heart rate; can be opiates for CB purposes

Question 11

Alcohol

Answer 11

agonist for GABA, reduces motor coordination, breathing, and heartbeat, and antagonist for glutamate, slowing reaction time

Question 12

Alcohol potential

Answer 12

high potential for physical and psychological dependence

Question 13

Opiates

Answer 13

agonists for dopamine and relieve pain by interacting with endorphins and enkephalins; heroin is three times as powerful as morphine, but both are highly addictive

Question 14

Opiate withdrawal

Answer 14

excruciating

Question 15

Stimulants

Answer 15

increase behavioral and mental activity by releasing norepinephrine and dopamine

Question 16

Stimulant dependency potential

Answer 16

high potential for physical dependence

Question 17

Nicotine

Answer 17

acetylcholine agonist causes elevated moods, improved memory, and increased attention

Question 18

Nicotine addiction

Answer 18

results from avoiding withdrawal symptoms rather than pleasure from use

Question 19

Cocaine

Answer 19

leads to insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, sexual dysfunction, seizures, and stroke; agonist for dopamine, heightening energy and euphoria

Question 20

Cocaine dependence potential

Answer 20

high potential for physical and psychological dependence

Question 21

Psychedelics

Answer 21

alter emotions, perception, thoughts, and can cause hallucinations and a loss of contact with reality by flooding serotonin and dopamine

Question 22

Psychedelic dependence

Answer 22

low potential for physical dependence, and a moderate potential for psychological dependence

Question 23

Cannabis

Answer 23

the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis contains over 40 chemicals that attack the nerve cells of the hippocampus, impairing learning and memory; agonist for dopamine

Question 24

Cannabis dependence potential

Answer 24

moderate potential for psychological dependence

Question 25

LSD

Answer 25

(lysergic acid diethylamide) causes delusions, hallucinations, and a loss of contact with reality; LSD and other chemical psychedelics are agonists for serotonin

Question 26

LSD dependence potential

Answer 26

agonists for serotonin with a low potential for psychological dependence, but chemical formulas vary