Introduction

Question 1

Pleiotropic

Answer 1

multiphasic effects from a given drug
drugs have more than one receptor that might be triggered and may cause multiple effects

Question 2

Drug effects depend on

Answer 2

the individual (genetic differences)
amount taken (addicts take higher amounts as they develop tolerance)
history (past use)
expectation (mindset can preset how much dopamine the brain releases)

Question 3

Drug vs Narcotic

Answer 3

Narcotic: sedation, numb
same meaning but colloquially, refers to hard drugs

Question 4

Drug

Answer 4

Exogenously administered chemical
not used for sustenance
Main effect is psychoactive: distributes into brain to trigger effects

Question 5

Levels of observation of drug abuse

Answer 5

Individual + Behavioural effects
Tissues + physiological effects
Cellular effects
Molecular effects

Question 6

Source of drugs

Answer 6

Natural (plants)
Synthetic (OTC rx)

Question 7

Alkaloids

Answer 7

(contain Nitrogen)
morphine, nicotine, hallucinogens, terpenes

Question 8

Non-Alkaloids

Answer 8

steroids, cannabinoids, flavanoids, terpenes

Question 9

Modern drug policies

Answer 9

product of prohibitionist past and counter-culture movements

Question 10

Nicotine as a pesticide

Answer 10

nicotinic receptors are similar targets in insects that lead to death by paralysis

Question 11

Prohibition Era

Answer 11

banning of alcohol sales and production

Question 12

Cannabis Legalization

Answer 12

2018 Cannabis Act (CAN)

Question 13

Drug Schedules

Answer 13

Lists of drugs that have various penalties associated for legal dealings
1 is the most potentially addictive, decreases to 6-10

Question 14

Use, Misuse, and Abuse

Answer 14

Using drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, and amphetamine-like drugs for euphoria rather than their intended use is misuse

Question 15

Drug Abuse

Answer 15

Misuse of drugs can lead to substance use disorders (SUD)

Question 16

Substance Use Disorders

Answer 16

impaired control
social impairment
risky use
pharmacological indicators (tolerance + withdrawal)

Question 17

Addiction

Answer 17

pervasive form of dependence
continued compulsive consequential out of control use and craving (5 C’s)

Question 18

Why do people abuse?

Answer 18

1. curiosity
2. self-medicate
3. coping
4. self-exploration
5. enhanced performance
6. foster belonging, bonding
7. recreation, pleasure
8. unintentional, problematic use

Question 19

DSM-5

Answer 19

addiction is called substance use disorder
meet 2 of:
hazardous use, social problems, neglected major roles, withdrawal, tolerance, used larger amounts/longer, repeated attempts to quit/control, much time spend using, physical/psychological problems, activities given up, craving

Question 20

Drugs of abuse must be

Answer 20

psychoactive - distributed to brain in sufficient concentrations to activate dopamine ‘reward’ circuit in the brain, resulting in euphoria and pleasure

Question 21

Absorption

Answer 21

route of administration

Question 22

Distribution

Answer 22

bioavailability + storage

Question 23

Metabolism

Answer 23

CYP enzymes, most often in liver

Question 24

Excretion

Answer 24

by kidneys

Question 25

Neurotransmission

Answer 25

1. storage of neurotransmitter 2. action potential 3. influx of Ca2+ into terminal 4. exocytic release of neurotransmitter 5. binding to post-synaptic receptor 6. triggering of post-synaptic cell 7. reuptake or extracellular degradation of neurotransmitters (shut off signaling cascade)

Question 26

Process of Addiction

Answer 26

reinforcement → tolerance → withdrawal → dependence → addiction

Question 27

Tolerance

Answer 27

taking more and more drug without feeling the effects or needing more drug to feel the same effect

Question 28

Withdrawal

Answer 28

due to tolerance/dependence adaptations - neurons change their biology to restore homeostasis typically opposite of drug effects (ex. depressant withdrawal leads to twitches, anxiety)

Question 29

Dependence

Answer 29

physical or psychological symptoms when drug is absent or inability to function normally without drug body overcompensates through adaptations - tipped the opposite way when absence of drug

Question 30

Stimulant example of tolerance

Answer 30

Stimulates enhanced release of neurotransmitters, leads to over-firing of post synaptic receptor = more activation; decreased expression of receptors reduced activity to normal level Normal amout of neurotransmitter causes reduced post synaptic firing = drop in neuronal activity → withdrawal

Question 31

Sedative example of tolerance

Answer 31

Sedation causes reduced neuronal activity = less neurotransmitters released and reduced firing → increased expression of receptors to maintain normal signal When no depressant is present, normal neurotransmitter levels cause elevated activity in post synaptic cell

Question 32

Receptor expression

Answer 32

cells react and change to restore normal function different tissues adapt at different rates