psych study guide 4

Question 1

Psychoactive drugs

Answer 1

are substances that change perceptions and moods, meaning the sensory information is the same but our perception of that information is altered.

Question 2

Addiction

Answer 2

occurs when bodies chemically adapt to these drugs, and require greater amounts each time to achieve an altered state, or, in some cases, just to feel normal and devoid of pain.

Question 3

Withdrawal

Answer 3

severe discomfort and distress after discontinuing an additive drug or behavior (after someone is taken off the drug).

Question 4

There are three primary types of drugs, or drug effects, which can be divided into?

Answer 4

depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.

Question 5

Depressants

Answer 5

are drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions; the three primary subgroups of depressants are: alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates.

Question 6

is a dis-inhibitor which slows brain activity that controls judgment and inhibitions; this can cause people to be more talkative, do things they would otherwise be too nervous to do or consider inappropriate, or make bad judgements like driving while intoxicated or enhancing sexual aggression.

Answer 6

alcohol

Question 7

are essentially tranquilizers, like Nembutal, Seconal, and Amytal (prescribed to induce sleep).

Answer 7

Barbiturates

Question 8

(one of the most addicting drugs) endorphin-mimicking painkillers that bring a rush of warm, euphoric, and lifting feelings that can disrupt natural endorphin use and creation. Opiates often cause the user’s pupils to constrict, slow breathing, and lethargy sets in as blissful pleasure replaces anxiety.

Answer 8

opiates

Question 9

Stimulants

Answer 9

are drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions, causing a rise in breathing, heartbeat, energy, and confidence.

Question 10

examples of stimulants

Answer 10

caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, meth

Question 11

much like nicotine, provides a rush of euphoria, but depletes one’s own dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine by blocking their reuptake.

Answer 11

cocaine

Question 12

increases dopamine, euphoria, alertness, and energy for 8 hours, followed by a crash of irritability, social isolation, depression, possible seizures, hypertension, and the likelihood of violent outbursts.

Answer 12

Methamphetamine

Question 13

Hallucinogens

Answer 13

are drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (simply put: hearing and seeing things that aren’t there)

Question 14

which presents a stream of uninterrupted fantastic pictures, shapes, colors, etc., ranging from euphoria, to detachment, to panic.

Answer 14

LSD

Question 15

(found in cannabis), which can evoke both agitation & hallucinations by amplifying colors, sounds, tastes, smells, and can produce a euphoric high

Answer 15

THC

Question 16

Ecstasy

Answer 16

otherwise known as MDMA, is both a stimulant and mild hallucinogen.

Question 17

triggers a dopamine release (like all amphetamines), and additionally floods neurons with serotonin and blocks reuptake (thus making you experience them much longer).

Answer 17

Ecstasy