Drugs of the mind

Question 1

Psychoactive drug

Answer 1

natural or synthetic molecules that alter communication between neurons

Question 2

Tolerance

Answer 2

Progressive decrease in effectiveness of a drug

• body increases enzymes that remove that drug
• decrease of receptors
• *Body does this to maintain homeostasis

Question 3

Dependency

Answer 3

Drug is required by user for their physical or psychological well being (drug is now required for homeostasis)
*Nervous system can’t produce normal response b/c of physical changes which causes withdrawal

Question 4

The drugs that most likely lead to dependency are

Answer 4

cocaine
amphetamine
nicotine

Question 5

Cocaine

Answer 5

feelings of : Pleasure, confidence, alertness

• Increases dopamine by blocking reuptake
• increases norepinephrine which stimulates fight or flight

Short-lived effect
(90 min max) 
then you feel 
- anxiety 
-depression 
-fatigue 

Produces cravings for more cocaine

Question 6

Health issues of cocaine

Answer 6

CARDIOVASCULAR : Increases hart rate, blood pressure, and interferes with nerves that regulate heartbeat
CAN CAUSE: heart attack or stroke

RESPIRATORY: when u come down off cocaine activity in respiration centers of the brain become depressed
CAN CAUSE: respiratory failure

Question 7

Amphetamines

Answer 7

Synthetic stimulants that resemble :
Dopamine
Norepinephrine

effects can last hours

controlled doses (prescribe) can increase aletness , concentration, and relive fatigue

Question 8

Meth

Answer 8

Common street form of amphetamine

Ingested as pills, crushed then snorted, smoked to injected

Meth induces euphoria, feelings of high self esteem, increase libido, insomnia, mania

high-doses : anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations

decreases receptors on the post-synaptic neuron

Question 9

Effects of meth

Answer 9

Long-term effects to nervous system

Impairment to memory and emotional centers of brain

Question 10

Hallucinogenic Drug

Answer 10

Visual, auditory, or other hallucinations

ex. ecstasy
effects:
-serotonin (sense of feel-being)
and
-Acetylcholine
(promotes release of norepinephrine -
affects serotonin and dopamine)

Question 11

Ecstasy physiological

effects

Answer 11

stimulant

• increased heart rate and blood pressure
• cause hyperthermia (increased body temp - heat stroke)
• dehydration (ions become diluted)

**ecstasy pills often contain other drugs

Question 12

Opiates

Answer 12

Affect opioid receptors
-produces morphine-like effects - pain relief

variety of drugs: Codeine, oxycodone ,hydrocodone ,Vicodin, Percocet, morphine, heroin

easily lead to addiction, dependency = withdrawal
- respiratory distress

Question 13

Fentanyl

Answer 13

type of opiate
EXTREMELY POTENT
often mixed with heroin

Question 14

Alcohol

Answer 14

Depresses (slows down) activity of ALL neurons

excitatory neurons run amuck at first

release from inhibitory controls tend to reduce anxiety

Question 15

Ethanol

Answer 15

Ethanol is the alcohol in every ‘alcoholic’ drink

very small molecule

both lipid and water soluble meaning It readily diffuses into cells

• absorption begins in the stomach (20%)
• food slows absorption (dilutes )

Question 16

a standard drink contains

Answer 16

0.5 ounce of alcohol

Question 17

Alcohol Elimination

Answer 17

liver breaks down alcohol

enzymes breakdown begins in stomach (alcohol degydrogenases )
-more in men than women

Question 18

metabolize one standard drink per hour DEPENDS ON weight

Answer 18

weight, sex, race

Question 19

Alcohol health issues

Answer 19

1 drink per day appears to decrease cardiovascular disease

• liver disease (fat accumulation in liver cells. liver cells swell and burst – scar tissue forms
• cardiovascular damage
• nervous system problems
• fetal alcohol syndrome (moves across placenta causes birth defects)

depresses activity of all neurons

• neurons in higher thinking centers effected first
• consciousness and breathing affected -