Psychoactive Substances Flashcards
Definition of new psychoactive substances
New narcotic or psychotropic drug, in pure form or in preparation, that is not scheduled under the single convention on psychotropic substances of 1971, but which may pose a public health threat
How are psychoactive drugs classified
according to the properties they exert
What methods are used to identify psychoactive substances
Time of flight (ToF) mass spectrometry, NMR
What is a stimulant?
Substance that excites bodily functions- stimulation of brain and CNS.
How do stimulants affect the body?
Increase motor activity, alertness, attention and energy and elevating blood pressure and heart rate.
What is a depressant?
Slows down the function of the CNS
What can taking depressants lead to?
Drowsiness, relaxation, anaesthesia, sleep, coma and death
What does Hallucinogen/ psychedelic drug cause
Causes distortions in a persons perceptions of reality. - affects senses of sight, hearing and sound.
What are Dissociative drugs
Alter perceptions of sight and sound creating feelings of detachment from self and the environment
What is a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA’s)
Covers all synthetic substances that bind to one of the two known cannabinoid receptors CB1 or CB2.
Harm reduction measures for NPS
- counsel on effects the drug could have
- needle exchange- don’t re use/ share needles. (Prevent risk of infection)
- signpost them to substance misuse services
- dangers of mixing
- wedinos
