Module 25: Psychoactive Drugs Flashcards
Psychoactive Drugs
Chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods
Substance Abuse Disorder
A disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk
How many indicators of substance use is needed to have mild substance use disorder?
2-3 indicators
How many indicators of substance use is needed to have moderate substance use disorder?
4-5 indiators
How many indicators of substance use is needed to have sever substance use disorder?
6+ indicators
Tolerance
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
Addiction
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
How can tolerance lead to substance abuse disorder?
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.
Withdrawl
The discomfort & distress that occurs after discontinuing an addictive drug or behavior
How has the concept of addiction changed?
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)
What are the three major categories of psychoactive drugs?
Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
What are depressants? Effects?
Drugs that reduce neural activity & slow body functions
ex: alcohol, barbiturates, & opiates
How does alcohol interact with neurotransmitters?
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
How does alcohol use disorder change the structure of the brain?
Ventricles, areas filled of fluid, are enlarged
- brain shrinkage
How does alcohol impair memory & self-awareness?
- 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
What are expectancy effects?
Expectations influences behavior - believing we are drinking alcohol causes us to act under its influence.
Barbiturates
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.
Opiates
Drugs that depress neural activity & temporarily lessen pain and anxiety
- pupils constrict, breathing slows, person becomes lethargic
ex: Morphine & heroin
How can opiate addiction lead to death?
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
What are stimulants? Effects?
Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
ex: caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, ecstasy/molly
Why do people use stimulants?
- to feel alert
- lose weight
- boost mood
- boost athletic performance
What is nicotine?
A stimulant - highly additive psychoactive drug found in tobacco
- arousal, relaxation, sense of well-being
- heart disease & cancer
What are the physiological effects of nicotine?
Nicotine reaches the brain within 7 seconds twice as fast as intravenous heroin
What is cocaine?
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
How does cocaine impact normal neural transmission?
- binds to sites that usually reabsorb neurotransmitters molecules
- blocks reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, & norepinephrine
How does cocaine cause euphoria?
- blocking binding site leaves the neurotransmitters in the synapse intensifying their mood altering effects
What is methamphetamine?
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
What is Ecstasy (MDMA)?
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
How does Ecstasy (MDMA) work?
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.
What are hallucinogens? Effects?
psychedelic drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
ex: LSD
Hallucinations
Distorted perceptions and sensory images in the absence of sensory input
Near-Death experiences
An altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death
- can resemble drug-induced hallucinations
What is LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
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
What is Marijuana? THC?
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
Alcool
Depressant
- initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition
- Depression, memory loss, organ damage, impaired reactions
Heroin
Depressant
- rush of euphoria & pain relief
- depressed physiology, agonizing withdrawal
Caffeine
Stimulant
- increased alertness & wakefulness
- anxiety, restlessness, insomnia (in high doses), uncomfortable withdrawal
