Module 3 - Alcohol, Red drugs, and Mental Health Flashcards
T/F: The brain undergoes an intense period of development between the ages of 13 and 19.
False: 16 and 25
T/F: The central nervous system comprises the brain and the spinal cord.
True
List the four components of a neuron
- Dendrites
- Acon
- Myelin sheath
- Synapse
T/F: The brain is divided into four lobes = the frontal lobe, the parental lobe, temporary lobe, and occipital lobe
False: frontal, PARIETAL, TEMPORAL, and occipital
What is the frontal lobe responsible for?
Frontal: high level cognitive functions and control the voluntary movement
What are grey matter and white matter?
Grey: mostly found in the cortex (outermost region of cerebrum) of the brain: contains neuronal cell bodies and synapses.
White: found under the cortex and within cerebrum (large upper part of brain): contains myelinated axons.
T/F: amount of white matter decreases with age and the amount of white matter also decreases.
False: grey decreases, white increases
List three main changes in the brain during early adulthood.
- Increased synaptic pruning (extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated to increase efficiency)
- Increased myelination
- Improved connectivity (larger more widely distributed neural networks)
What’s the difference between substance use and substance misuse?
Use: refers to use of psychoactive substance (caffeine, alcohol, cannabis, other illicit drugs)
Misuse: use of psychoactive substance that causes concern or elevates risk of reduced well-being/poor mental health. Included regular/excessive use, medication for purpose other than perscribed, binge-drinking
What is the difference between substance use and substance use disorder?
Substance use disorder: clinically significant abuse or dependency which includes psychological and physiological aspects of an addiction. The more diagnostic criteria a person has, the more severe the disorder.
What are some effects of substance use during adolescence?
- Mental health problems (poor sleep, anxiety, depression, psychosis)
- Altered efficiency of brain functions
- Reduced sustained attention/distraction/errors
- Poorer university performance
- Low drive + low motivation
Define “disinhibition”
Lowering of one’s inhibitions
Binge-drinking is defined as +__ drinks for females and +__ drinks for males at a single period
4, 5
What are some -ve outcomes of binge drinking?
- risk of physical harm
- blackouts
- hangovers
- poor academic performance
T/F: On average, your liver can metabolize 1 oz of alcohol every hour (equiv. 2/3 of a st. size shot)
True
Alcohol made from sugar and yeast is the most commonly abused substance in Canada among young people aged 16 - 25 years.
True
T/F: Alcohol is a stimulant
False: it is a depressent
List short-term effects of alcohol use
- slurred speech
- unsteady balance
- slowed physical and mental rxn time
- dopaminergic system
- hangover > stupor > coma > death (alcohol poisoning)
- poor quality of sleep
List long-term effects of alcohol use
- arrhythmias (heart beats with irregular rhythm)
- weakened immune
- disease of the liver
- some forms of cancer
- alcoholic dementia
T/F: Cannabis is the third most commonly abused substance among youth before alcohol and caffiene
False: second
Define a “cannabinoid”
Naturally occurring compounds found in the plant Cannabis sativa
T/F: Cannabis acts on the peripheral nervous system
False: central nervous. Variable effects depending on ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydricannabinol (THC), with hallucinogenic properties.
What is the endocannabinoid system?
Body has nautral cannabinoids that act on receptors all over the body to promote normal functioning The system is involved in widespread actions such as appetite, pain, immune system, concentration and well-being.
What is “reuptake”?
Reabsorption of a secreted substance after it has performed its function.
What are some guidelines suggested for regular caffeine use?
Moderate doses of caffeine (1-2 regular cups) can increase well-being and happiness.
Adolescents should not consume more than 100 mg caffeine/day or one reg size cup. Adults should limit to no more than 400 mg/day
Half-life of caffeine is ~5h (should not be consume after 5pm)
List potential harms for misusing stimulants.
- Cardiovascular events
- Increased risk behaviours
- Poorer well-being
- Poor concentration
- Sleep problems
How does cannabis use impair the brain and body?
Cannabis can have a particularly negative impact on cognitive function (imp time of brain dev)
Cannabis can disrupt the body’s natural endocannabinoid system
T/F: Stimulant medication misuse is associated with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, and serious heart problems.
True
T/F: Dev of psychosis increases with regular high-potency CBD cannabis use.
False: THC
What risks factors are involved with the dev of psychosis from cannabis use?
Frequency
Age at first use
Family history
How can one reduce the risk of substance abuse?
- minimize frequency of use
- use modest amounts
- educate yourself
- be aware
- plan ahead
List recommendatios of reducing risk associated with cannabis use:
- type of product (low-strength)
- avoid impaired activities (ie. influenced driving)
- biological considerations (use cannabis later in life)
- avoid combining risky behaviours
- method of intake (smoking = harmful to the lungs, so avoid)
What are some warning signs in an individual substance use has become a large problem?
- missing shifts at work consistently
- experiencing increased irritability/frequency of arguments
- withdrawing from social engagements
- difficulties coping with stress
- financial problems (criminal charges, fines/tickets)
- declining physical health
- difficulties with academic studies (lower grades)
