Module 3: Alcohol, Recreational Drugs, and Mental Health Flashcards
Parts of the nervous system
-central nervous system
-peripheral nervous system
Central nervous system
-the central nervous consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
-peripheral nervous system contains all nerve fibers outside of the CNS
What are neurons
-functional unit of the brain and are capable of generating and transmitting electrical signals
Dendrites
-projections of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons
Axon
-slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body and towards the next cell in the pathway
Myelin sheath
-fatty substance that surrounds nerve cells
-forms a sheath around the axon of the neuron, providing a layer of insulation and increasing rate of transmission along the axon
Synapse
-when electrical impulse reaches the end of the axon, enters the synapse
-in this area it transfers from one neuron to the dendrites of a second neuron
Structure of the brain
-frontal lobe
-parietal lobe
-temporal lobe
-occipital lobe
Frontal lobe
-responsible for higher level cognitive functions and control of voluntary movement
Parietal lobe
-processes information about temperature, taste, touch, and movement
Temporal lobe
-processes memories, integrating them with sensations of taste, sound, sight, and touch
Occipital lobe
-primarily responsible for vision
What is the most important brain area that undergoes major development in early adulthood
-frontal lobe
What higher level cognitive abilities is the frontal lobe
-planning
-goal-directed behaviour
-decision-making
-complex problem-solving
-cognitive control
Grey matter
-mostly found within the cortex of the brain
-it contains neuronal cell bodies and synapses
White matter
-mostly found under the cortex and within the cerebrum
-contains myelinated axons
Brain development during early adulthood
-peaks in early to middle adulthood
-the amount of grey matter in the brain decreases, and the amount of white matter increases
Specific changes in the brain during adulthood
-increased synaptic pruning
-increased myelination
-improved connectivity
Increased synaptic pruning
-refers to process where extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency or neuronal transmission
Increased myelination
-humans are born with little to no myelin in the CNS
-occurs throughout childhood and into the period of accelerated growth seen during the late teens and early twenties
Improved connectivity
-critical for a variety of higher level functions such as learning new complex information, integrating new learning, and applying it
What is substance use
-refers to the use of a psychoactive substance
-can include caffeine, alcohol, cannabis, and other illicit drugs
What is substance misuse
-the use of a psychoactive substance in a way that causes concern and/or elevates the risk of reduced well being and poor mental health
What are examples of substance misuse
-regular or excessive use, or use when one should be in class, studying, or working
-use of medication for a purpose other than prescribed etc.
Substance use disorder
-refers to clinically significant abuse or dependency which includes psychological and physiological aspects of addiction
Substance use disorder criteria
-worsening physical health and/or mental health
-failure to meet responsibilities
-associated losses
-problems in relationships
Mental health concerns and disorders
-substance use can contribute to the development and worsening of mental health problems including poor sleep, anxiety, depression and psychosis
Cognition and substance misuse
-associated with altered efficiency of brain functions
-how you think, perceive and feel
Attention and substance misuse
-associated with reduced sustained attention, distraction and errors
Learning and substance misuse
-regular cannabis use an alcohol misuse is associated with poorer university performance and higher dropout rates
Motivation and substance misuse
-low drive and low motivation
What is the most commonly abused substance
-alcohol
Binge drinking
-consumption of excess alcohol at one point in time
How many drinks is considered binge drinking
-4 or more for women
-5 or more for men
Negative outcomes of binge drinking
-risk of physical harm
-blackouts, or forgetting what happened
-hangovers
-poor academic performance
What percent of university students binge drink
-30%
What percent of university students blackout from drinking
-29%
What percent of students did something they regretted while drinking
-38%
What percent of students sustained a drinking-related injury
-18%
How many students had unprotected sex while drinking
-24%
How much can your liver metabolize each hour
-1 ounce of alcohol
-equivalent to 2/3 of a shot
Short term effects of alcohol
-slowed brain activity
-slurred speech
-unsteady balance
-slowed physical and mental reaction time
-confusion
-poor judgement
-poor sleep
-dehydration etc.