Module 25: Psychoactive Drugs

Question 1

Psychoactive Drugs

Answer 1

Chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods

Question 2

Substance Abuse Disorder

Answer 2

A disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk

Question 3

How many indicators of substance use is needed to have mild substance use disorder?

Answer 3

2-3 indicators

Question 4

How many indicators of substance use is needed to have moderate substance use disorder?

Answer 4

4-5 indiators

Question 5

How many indicators of substance use is needed to have sever substance use disorder?

Answer 5

6+ indicators

Question 6

Tolerance

Answer 6

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effects

Question 7

Addiction

Answer 7

A primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry

• inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response
• want the drug more than like the drug

Question 8

How can tolerance lead to substance abuse disorder?

Answer 8

Due to neuroadaptation, brain chemistry changes to offset the effects of the drug. Users require larger and larger doses which increases the risk of becoming addicted and developing a substance abuse disorder.

Question 9

Withdrawl

Answer 9

The discomfort & distress that occurs after discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior

Question 10

How has the concept of addiction changed?

Answer 10

Some behaviors can become compulsive & dysfunctional- similar to problematic alcohol & drug use
- examples: gambling disorder, internet gaming disorder, internet disorder (some need more studying done)

Question 11

What are the three major categories of psychoactive drugs?

Answer 11

Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens

Question 12

What are depressants? Effects?

Answer 12

Drugs that reduce neural activity & slow body functions

ex: alcohol, barbiturates, & opiates

Question 13

How does alcohol interact with neurotransmitters?

Answer 13

GABA & GLUTAMATE both interact with alcohol to produce the effects we associate with drinking - impaired judgements, slow reaction time, disrupts formation of memory, & impulse control

• Alcohol enhances GABA capabilities (agonist) and inhibits glutamate from exciting the cells (antagonist)
• affects prefrontal cortex

Question 14

How does alcohol use disorder change the structure of the brain?

Answer 14

Ventricles, areas filled of fluid, are enlarged

- brain shrinkage

Question 15

How does alcohol impair memory & self-awareness?

Answer 15

• Memory disruption: Suppresses REM sleep which is needed for memory consolidation alcohol can disrupt memory formation and heavy drinking can also have long-term effects on the brain & cognition
• Reduced self - awareness: People who consume alcohol doze off/ mind wander more w/o realizing

Question 16

What are expectancy effects?

Answer 16

Expectations influences behavior - believing we are drinking alcohol causes us to act under its influence.

Question 17

Barbiturates

Answer 17

Drugs that depress central nervous system activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgement

ex: Nembutal, Seconal, & Amytal
- sometimes prescribed to induce sleep or reduce anxiety.

Question 18

Opiates

Answer 18

Drugs that depress neural activity & temporarily lessen pain and anxiety

• pupils constrict, breathing slows, person becomes lethargic
  ex: Morphine & heroin

Question 19

How can opiate addiction lead to death?

Answer 19

When repeatedly flooded with artificial opiates, the brain stops producing endorphins ( natural opiates). When the artificial opiate is withdrawn the brain with lack the normal level of painkilling neurotransmitters - then die of overdose

Question 20

What are stimulants? Effects?

Answer 20

Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
ex: caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, ecstasy/molly

Question 21

Why do people use stimulants?

Answer 21

• to feel alert
• lose weight
• boost mood
• boost athletic performance

Question 22

What is nicotine?

Answer 22

A stimulant - highly additive psychoactive drug found in tobacco

• arousal, relaxation, sense of well-being
• heart disease & cancer

Question 23

What are the physiological effects of nicotine?

Answer 23

Nicotine reaches the brain within 7 seconds twice as fast as intravenous heroin

Question 24

What is cocaine?

Answer 24

A strong & addictive stimulant that temporarily increased alertness & euphoria

• enters the bloodstream quickly, producing a rush of euphoria that depletes the brain’s supply of neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, & norepinephrine.
• risk cardiovascular stress, suspiciousness, depressive crash

Question 25

How does cocaine impact normal neural transmission?

Answer 25

• binds to sites that usually reabsorb neurotransmitters molecules
• blocks reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, & norepinephrine

Question 26

How does cocaine cause euphoria?

Answer 26

• blocking binding site leaves the neurotransmitters in the synapse intensifying their mood altering effects

Question 27

What is methamphetamine?

Answer 27

A strong addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system, with accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes; over time, appears to reduce baseline dopamine levels
- aftereffects: irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures, social isolation, depression, violent out burst

Question 28

What is Ecstasy (MDMA)?

Answer 28

A synthetic stimulant & mild hallucinogen

• produces euphoria & social intimacy; short term health risk; long term harm to serotonin producing neurons, mood, & cognition
• dehydrating effects, can lead to severe overheating, increased blood pressure, death
• long term use risk permanently depressed mood
• suppresses the immune system, impairs memory, slows thought, and disrupts sleep

Question 29

How does Ecstasy (MDMA) work?

Answer 29

As an amphetamine derivative, Ecstasy triggers dopamine release, but its major effect is releasing stored serotonin and blocking its reuptake, thus prolonging serotonin’s feel-good flood.

Question 30

What are hallucinogens? Effects?

Answer 30

psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
ex: LSD

Question 31

Hallucinations

Answer 31

Distorted perceptions and sensory images in the absence of sensory input

Question 32

Near-Death experiences

Answer 32

An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death
- can resemble drug-induced hallucinations

Question 33

What is LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)

Answer 33

Strong hallucinogenic drug

• vary in reactions: some get strong euphoric feeling while others feel detachment, some panic.
• users’ mood & expectation influence the emotional experiences but the perceptual distortions and hallucinations have commonalities

Question 34

What is Marijuana? THC?

Answer 34

Marijuana is a mild hallucinogen - amplifies sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes, and smells

• relaxes, disinhibits, pain relief, distortion of time
• could create a euphoric high
• impaired learning & memory ; increased risk of psychological disorders.

THC: psychoactive ingredient - produces mixed effects

Question 35

Alcool

Answer 35

Depressant

• initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition
• Depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions

Question 36

Heroin

Answer 36

Depressant

• rush of euphoria & pain relief
• depressed physiology, agonizing withdrawal

Question 37

Caffeine

Answer 37

Stimulant

• increased alertness & wakefulness
• anxiety, restlessness, insomnia (in high doses), uncomfortable withdrawal