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MCAT Behavioral Sciences > June 23, 2019 > Flashcards

June 23, 2019 Flashcards

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MCAT 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
Q

How does the speed of drug entry relate to the addiction potential

A

-faster route of entry=more addictive potential

MCAT Behavioral Sciences (24 decks)

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