Psychoactive Drugs Flashcards
psychoactive drugs
- influence functioning of brain, alter psychological processes
- drugs interact with neurotransmitter systems
agonists
mimic neurotransmitters (effect is like having MORE of that neurotransmitter in the brain)
antagonists
block neurotransmitters (effect is like having LESS of that neurotransmitter in the brain)
depressants
decrease activity in the nervous system
depressants list
- alcohol
- benzodiazepines
- opiates
ALCOHOL
less control over behavior and emotion
alcohol effects
- prefrontal cortex (decisions, behavior)
- hippocampus (memory loss, REM sleep)
- cerebellum (movement, balance, coordination)
- brainstem (reticular formation, medulla)
BENZODIAZEPINES
make drowsy, less anxiety (prescription drugs - valium, xanax, librium)
benzodiazepines effects
- GABA agonist (slows down the nervous system)
- can be addicting, deadly withdrawal symptoms
OPIATES
euphoria, relaxation, drowsy (prescribed painkiller - morphine, heroin, codeine, vicodin, oxycontin)
opiates effects
- endorphin agonist, addicting
- majority of people prescribed opiates and use as directed DO NOT get addicted
stimulants
wakefulness, energy, appetite suppression
stimulants list
- caffeine
- nicotine
- cocaine
- amphetamines
- MDMA
CAFFEINE
wakefulness, wellbeing
caffeine effects
- adenosine antagonist (adenosine builds up throughout the day, makes you sleepy)
NICOTINE
relaxtion, confidence
nicotine effects
- acetylcholine agonist
- highly addicting
COCAINE
confidence, euphoria
cocaine effects
- can cause heart attacks or strokes
- hard on cardiovascular system
- norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin enhancer
- highly addictive
AMPHETAMINES
energy, euphoria, appetite suppression (methamphetamine, dexedrine, adderall, benzedrine)
amphetamine effects
- enhances norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin
- addiction potential
MDMA
some hallucinogenic properties, euphoria, energy (ecstasy, molly)
mdma effects
- feelings of closeness with others
- enhances norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin
- for heavy users, can cause brain damage
psychedelic hallucinogens
altered thoughts and emotion, mystical thinking (lsd, psilocybin, mescaline/peyote)
psychedelic hallucinogens effects
- serotonin effects
- shown to help drug addicts, depression, PTSD
MARIJUANA
euphoria, decreases pain
marijuana effects
- THC has lots of psychoactive compounds
- alters perceptions, disinhibits
- endocannabinoid agonist
- therapeutic uses
