module 10 - drugs and consciousness

Question 1

alcohol

Answer 1

• type of depressant
• effects in frontal cortex: disinhibition, impaired judgement and self-awareness
• slowed by neural processing
• heavy drinking suppresses REM

Question 2

Barbiturates (tranquilizers)

Answer 2

• sedative
• GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) agonists

Question 3

Opiates and opioids (imitate endorphins)

Answer 3

• relaxing, relieve pain and anxiety
• immitate endorphins
• operates are plant-based
  
  • opium, heroin, morphine, codeine
    -opiods include opiates and also synthetic painkillers
  • oxycontin, Percocet, fentanyl

Question 4

stimulants (def and examples)

Answer 4

• stimulate nervous system activity
• suppress appetite
• dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine agonists

Question 5

hallucinogens

Answer 5

• alter the perception and the processes of interpreting reality
• ordinary sights, sounds, and feelings can seem deeper and more intense
• brain isn’t using its usual familiar shortcuts to process information
• not very addictive or impactful on physical health
• “bad trips” (frightening/disturbing alterations)

Question 6

cannabis

Answer 6

• main ingredient is THC, which is similar to the body’s endogenous cannabinoids
• can act was a mild depressant, stimulant, or very mild hallucinogen
• body’s endogenous cannabinoids are useful for peripheral nervous system
  
  • cannabinoid receptors are plentiful throughout the brain and elsewhere

Question 7

tolerance

Answer 7

• the diminishing effect with regular use of a drug, requiring use of larger doses to get the effect

Question 8

nueroadaption

Answer 8

• the user’s brain chemistry adapts to compensate for the presence of the drug
• ex: downregulating the production of the natural neurotransmitter that the drug imitates
• or can down regulate the number of receptors for that neurotransmitter

Question 9

addiction

Answer 9

• compulsive craving of substance/behavior despite known harmful consequences
• vast majority of drug users aren’t addicted
• often coupled with life circumstances or psychological health issues

Question 10

withdrawl

Answer 10

• body neuro adapts to the drug and you feel worse than normal
  
  • use of the drug downregulated natural production, so you are in a deficit
• discomfort or distress after quitting
  body takes time to recover from neuroadaption