June 23, 2019 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of psychoactive drugs

A
  • they are drugs that can alter our consciousness and perceptions
  • > increase our mood, calm us down, make us feel more alert, etc
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2
Q

What are the three main categories of psychoactive drugs

A

1) Depressants
2) Stimulants
3) Hallucinogens

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3
Q

How do depressants affect your body’s basic functions? Focus on the body’s basic functions.

A
  • they work to lover neural activity
  • > specifically, lower the CNS activity
  • > eg; decrease heart rate, decrease blood pressure, decreae reaction time/processing

-note that depressants vasodilate in low concentration but vasoconstrict at high concentrations

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4
Q

What are the three categories of depressants

A

1) Alcohol
2) Barbituates
3) Benzoddiazepenes

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5
Q

Describe the general characteristics of barbiturates

A
  • they depress CNS activity
  • > act as anesthesia or anticonvulsant
  • not often prescribed due to negative side effects
  • > eg; reduced memory, judgement and concentration
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6
Q

Describe the general characteristics of benzodiazepines

A
  • same thing as barbiturates

- >aims to aid sleep or help with anxiety(anticonvulsant)

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7
Q

Through what mechanism does benzodiazepines work

A
  • they enhance your brain’s response to GABA
  • > they open up GABA activated chloride channels in your neurons
  • > making the neurons more negatively charged
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8
Q

How do stimulants affect the body

A
  • they work to excite your CNS
  • > increase the heart rate and blood pressure
  • > more awake, more alert
  • note that nicotine, THC are also stimulant
  • > THC can also be classified as a hallucinogen and or a depressant

-they are vasoconstrictors

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9
Q

What is the mechanism of cocaine

A

-it blocks dopamine reuptake

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10
Q

What is the mechanism of amphetamines

A
  • block dopamine reuptake

- >stimulate presynaptic dopamine release as well

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11
Q

What is the mechanism of caffeine

A

-it works to inhibit the enzyme that breaks down cAMP

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12
Q

What is the mechanism of nicotine

A
  • it acts on acetylcholine

- >it is an acetylcholine receptor agonist

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13
Q

What neurotransmitter does LSD modify

A

-it modifies the serotonin neurotransmitter

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14
Q

How are opioids similar to depressants

A
  • they decrease CNS function, decrease heart rate and blood pressure
  • > also cause relaxation and induce sleep
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15
Q

How do opiates relate to blood vessel activity and that of the pupils

A

-they constrict the pupils and are vasodilators

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16
Q

What class of drug is MDMA. Refer to the three classes discussed

A

-it can either be a stimulant or a hallucinogen

17
Q

What are the effects of nicotine at high elevels

A
  • at high levels, it can cause muscles to relax

- >also releases stress-reducing neurotransmitters

18
Q

What are the results of cocaine in terms of the three neurotransmitters released

A
  • it causes the brain to release so much more dopamine, serotonin and norepinepherines
  • > this depletes the brain’s supply
19
Q

Are dopamine and methamphetamine closely related

A
  • yes
  • > meth triggers the release of dopamine for up to 8 hours
  • > it is highly addictive
20
Q

What is the similarity between ecstacy/MDMAmolly

A

-they are all a synthetic drug between stimulants and hallucinogens

21
Q

Are hallucinogens used for PTSD treatment?

A

-yes they are

22
Q

Describe habituation in terms of when you take drugs

A
  • for example
  • > your brain might know that you take drugs in certain rooms
  • > and if it is something like cocaine, it will immediately lower your heart rate before you take the drugs
23
Q

What happens if you take a drug in a new location

A
  • you might get an overdoes

- >this is because you are in a new location but your body has not prepared by reducing hesrt rate/metabolism

24
Q

Name the different routes of entry by drugs

A

1) Oral
2) Inhalation
3) Injection
4) Transdermal(pretty slow because the drug is absorbed through the skin)
5) Intramuscular

25
How does the speed of drug entry relate to the addiction potential
-faster route of entry=more addictive potential