Environment and the Brain 4 Flashcards
Fill the gaps relating to morphine. (4)
Morphine is an ……………………… drug.
It acts via the ………………………. receptor, and has a range of clinical effects, including …………………. and ……………………
opiate
u (mu)
analgesia
antitussive
Describe the clinical antitussive effects of opiates. (2)
antitussive means to stop coughing
codeine used to be sold to inhibit the cough reflex
Give three major side effects of opiate drugs when used in clinical practice. (3)
- Euphoria/dysphoria
- Constipation (40% on oral preparation)
- Respiratory depression
Which property or side effect of morphine/opiates make them a candidate for a drug of abuse? (1)
Euphoric properties
Give two issues with opiates being used as a drug of abuse. (2)
- Tolerance
- Dependence
What is meant by ‘tolerance’ when referring to drugs of abuse such as morphine? (1)
The dose needs to be increased to get the same effect
Briefly, what cellular/molecular mechanism causes morphine tolerance in chronic users? (1)
GPCRs become desensitised
Briefly, what cellular/molecular mechanism causes morphine dependence in chronic users? (1)
Drug increases dopamine levels
Where in the world is there a major opioid crisis? (1)
USA
Where in the world does cannabis trafficking and use affect and cause problems the most? (1)
All regions worldwide
Describe the main drug problems faced in North America and Canada. (3)
i.e. which drugs cause problems?
- High levels of opioid use and overdose
- Increasing use of methamphetamines
- High levels of cocaine use
Describe the main drug problems faced in South America. (4)
i.e. which drug/s cause problems and how?
Main issues are with cocaine:
- use
- production
- trafficking
Which two types of drugs seem to be the most widely-used drugs of abuse worldwide? (2)
Cannabis
Opioids
Which type of drug (of abuse) seems to account for the most drug-related deaths worldwide? (1)
Opioids
Which two types of drug (of abuse) are responsible for the highest levels of drug-related medical treatment worldwide? (2)
- Opioids
- Cannabis
True or false? Explain your answer if appropriate. (1)
Opioid abuse is a very Western problem, with negligible levels elsewhere in the world.
True - highest levels in North America and Canada
What is the main consequence of opioid use in the USA? (1)
Increased deaths due to overdoses
Give two factors regarding opioid prescription and production which contribute to the increased opioid use and deaths currently seen in USA. (2)
- Escalation in use of prescription opioids
- Increased production of synthetic opioids
Describe the trend in the total number of deaths involving prescription opioids among all ages in the US between 1999 and 2021. (1)
Number showed a large increase, and may be more stable at this increased number in the last few years
Describe the trend in the number of deaths involving prescription opioids without any other opioids among all ages in the US between 1999 and 2021. (1)
Trend increased at first, but has shown quite a large decrease in the last few years (from about 2011 onwards)
Describe the trend in the number of deaths involving prescription opioids in combination with synthetic opioids among all ages in the US between 1999 and 2021. (1)
Sharp increase from about 2013 onwards (numbers are rising)
What is currently the major driver of the opioid crisis in the USA? (1)
a) commonly prescribed opioid drugs
b) synthetic, non-prescription opioids
b) synthetic, non-prescription opioids
Compare the relative potencies of commonly prescribed opioid drugs, and synthetic non-prescribed opioid drugs. (1)
Synthetic non-prescribed drugs tend to have a much higher potency than prescribed opioids.
Describe an advantage and a disadvantage of people with an opioid addiction using synthetic non-prescribed opioids rather than prescribed opioids. (2)
ADVANTAGE:
- Much higher potency so they can be used in lower doses for people who have developed tolerance
DISADVANTAGE:
- Higher potency means it may be easier to overdose on synthetic opioids
Name three general routes/types of impact of opioids on the environment. (3)
Give a short description of each one.
- Cultivation and production (effects on the environment from producing and transporting opioids)
- Drug use (effects on the environment from the use of opioids)
- Drug responses (impact of wide-scale responses and policies relating to drug use)
Describe a route of how opioids and their metabolites may contaminate wastewater. (4)
- Drugs consumed and partially metabolised in the body
- Drugs and metabolised excreted in waste
- Excreted substances enter sewer
- Wastewater treatment plants only remove part of the substances
Describe two general consequences of opioids and their metabolites contaminating wastewater. (2)
- In contaminated aquatic environments, substances may affect fish and other organisms
- Substances can reach humans through consumption of water or fish
Describe how drug responses and policies may affect the environment. (3)
May introduce alternative development methods
Which may result in deforestation/reforestation
and higher or lower carbon footprint
Describe five potential consequences on the environment from cultivation and production of opioids. (5)
- Energy use may increase/decrease
- Deforestation resulting in biodiversity loss
- Soil pollution/depletion leading to effects on the food chain
- Water pollution/depletion leading to effects on the food chain
- Air pollution
Describe how synthetic drug production waste may contaminate the environment. (2)
- Solid/liquid waste from labs may directly contaminate environment
- Fumes from transportation of waste contaminate air
Give the six stages of opioid (specifically morphine) production which may have a negative impact on the environment. (6)
- Poppy farming
- Bulk morphine/opioid production
- Mixing
- Filling
- Sterilisation
- Packaging
Which stage of morphine production releases the most greenhouse gases (CO2)? (1)
Which stage releases the least? (1)
MOST:
- Packaging
LEAST:
- Poppy farming