Psychoactive Drugs

Question 1

Altered state of consciousness

Answer 1

Can make differences in:

• awareness
• perception
• cognition
• emotional awareness
• self control
• perception of time

Question 2

What are psychoactive drugs

Answer 2

Produce a temporary altered state of consciousness for pleasure

Question 3

Stimulants

Answer 3

Increase alertness and reduce fatigue

Increase blood pressure and heart rate, constrict blood vessels, increase blood glucose

Question 4

Examples of stimulants

Answer 4

Caffeine:
- found in coffee, tea, cocoa, cola, etc
Amphetamines and Methamphetamines:
- increase alertness, focus, attention
- stimulates production of noradrenaline and dopamine
Nicotine:
- found in tobacco
- feelings of euphoria
- increased heart rate and alertness
- increase production of adrenaline and dopamine

Question 5

Depressants

Answer 5

Calm neural activity and slow bodily functions
Used to treat seizures, insomnia and anxiety
Increased fatigue, lower heart rate and reduced anxiety

Question 6

Examples of depressants

Answer 6

Alcohol:

• slows down messages between brain and body
• loss of self control, impaired motor skills
• excessive consumption: blurred vision, nausea, aggression

Question 7

Hallucinogens

Answer 7

• AKA psychedelics
• alter perception of reality
• hallucinations, detachment from body, dilated pupils, loss of appetite

Question 8

Examples of hallucinogens

Answer 8

LSD:
- synthetic material
- small doses: mild changes in perception, mood and thoughts
- larger doses: visual hallucinations and distortions of space and time
- euphoria, nausea, dilated pupils, fast breathing
Ecstasy:
- triggers fight or flight response resulting in a boost of energy
- releases dopamine and serotonin and blocks reuptake, increasing duration of good feeling
- euphoria, accelerated heart rate, dilated pupils, heightened anxiety