Psychoactive drugs Flashcards
how is cocaine typically taken
snorted in powder form or smoked in free-based form
how fast does cocaine reach its peak
30-60mins
biological half life of cocaine
30-90 minutse
short term effects of cocaine
- Euphoria
- Energy
- Confidence/talkativeness
Alertness/attention
examples of mono-aminergic synapses
serotonin
dopamine
noradrenaline
adrenaline
what is a reuptake channel
reduces amount of neurotransmitter in synaptic cleft by recycling into the pre-synaptic cleft
what is the mechanism of cocaine
blocks the reuptake channels - neurotransmitter not recycled into presynaptic terminals
neurotransmitter stays in synapse for longer at high concentration, continuously stimulating post synaptic terminal
how does cocaine affect the sympathetic nervous system
continuous release of noradrenalin results in constriction of blood vessels
why is a “comedown” often experienced when taking cocaine
Lack of reuptake results in depletion of monoamines - crash into depression after several hours
long term effects of cocaine use
Destruction of the nasal septum
Schizophrenia -like symptoms e.g. hallucinations
Tolerance/sensitisation for certain effects
example of effects of cocaine that users become tolerant to
euphoria and confidence
example of effects cocaine users become sensitised to
convulsiveness, addictiveness
why is cocaine considered to be addictive
Direct effect on dopamine released in n. accumbens and prefrontal cortex
Direct activation of the seeking or reward pathway
what type of addiction is cocaine most associated with
psychological addictiveness
what is the action of amphetamines
Alters the shapes of neurotransmitter channels to increase amount of neurotransmitters in mono-aminergic synapses
what kind of effects do amphetamines result in
similar symptoms to cocaine use
how is caffeine typically ingested
in coffee or soft drinks
how long does it take for caffeine concentration to peak
40 minutes
biological half life of caffeine
3.5-5 hours
side effects of caffeine
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Change in mood
Hypertension
physiological action of caffeine
- Blocks adenosine receptors
Stimulates adrenaline release from adrenal medulla
long term effects of caffeine intake
sleep deprivation
physical dependence of caffeine symptoms
headaches, sleepiness, irritability and difficulty concentration
why is caffeine considered to be addictive
Increases dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens
