Psychoactive substances Flashcards
Stimulants
- amphetamine (speed)
- metamphetamine (ice)
- other amphetamine type stiulants
- cocaine
- hallucinogenic stimulants
- nicotine
- caffeine
- new stimulants
Amphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)
First synthesized in 1887
Used in treatment of: narcolepsy, depression, ADHD
Metamphetamine
First synthesized in 1911
Amphetamine
White, ping, grey or yellowish powder (wrapped in small pieces of paper “wraps”)
- Snorting up the nose, injecting
- results in the release of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate
Withdrawal symptoms (ATS)
Fatigue
vivid, unpleasant dreams
insomnia or hypersomnie
increased appetite
- rebound effect
Rebound effect
Symptoms that were either absent or controlled while taking a medication, but appear when that same medication is discontinued, or reduced in dosage.
MDMA
Ecstasy, molly etc
was synthesized in 1898, was patented in 1913.
Its chemical structure is very similar to amphetamine and mescaline.
Increase the activity of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine
Somatic and mental effect - MDMA
ACUTE EFFECTS IN AVERAGE DOSE:
- increased energy
- alertness
- increased need for movement
- euphria
- friendliness, openness
- enhanced perception
- dilated pupils
ACUTE EFFECTS IN GREATER DOSE
- restlessness
- anxiety and paranoia
- irritability
- panic attack
- intense visual and auditory hallucinations
Adverse effects that last up to a week (MDMA)
- depression
- fatigue
- psychotic episodes
- paranoia
- insomnia
- loss of appetite
- dzziness
- loss of self-control
- impulsiveness
- decreased sexual drive
Cocaine
Obtaines by processing the coca leaf
Speed ball
cocaine + heroin
Cocaine + effects
- inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, norepeniehphrine and dopamine
- the same somatic and mental effect as amphetamine
- Main reason for popularity: euphoria, openness, increased energy, talkativeness, self-confidence, increased sexual drive.
- highly addictive
- rebound effect: depression, fatigue
- Withdrawal: mental symptoms as irritability, restlessness, depression, insomnia, intense craving
Hallucinogens
- Conscious alteration: difference in intensity
- hallucinations
- unique changes in perception, cognition, affect, and spiritual states
Cannabis
Does not include the cannabinoids in the hallucinogen category
cannabis produces subjective states along the “hallucinogenic” spectrum but different in their psychological and behavioral effects.
Three species of cannabis
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis indica
Cannabis ruderalis
Two types of cannabinoid receptors in the brain
CB1 = nerve terminals of the frontal region of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and basal ganglia
CB2 = mainly on cells of the immune system
Marihuana + medical use
- Chemotherapy: preventing nausea, feeling of sickness
- AIDS treatment (used as an appetitive
- Anti-epileptic medicine
Symptoms of overdose (marihuana)
Vomiting dizziness intense heart rate headache respiratory problems intense anxiety panic attack hallucinations paranoid thoughts
Withdrawal (mainly mental effects)
- insomnia
- irritability, restlessness
- anxiety
- depression
- Emptiness
- amotivation syndrome (passivity, aimlessness, apathy, uncommunicativeness, lack of ambitions)
Cannabis use and mental disorders
Affective disorders:
depression, other mood disorders, anxiety disorders
Hallucinogens
Diverse group of substances that vary - in source - chemical and molecular structure - pharmacological effects In addictive potential - in toxic effects (medical, neurological, psychiatric)
- Low addiction potential, dependence is very rare
- Flashback: re-experiencing the effects of the drug. Stress, tiredness, cannabis may provoke it.
Albert Hoffmann
1938 - LSD
LSD
Used mainly as a recreational drug and for spiritual reasons
- somatic effect after 30 minutes, then mental effects –> disappear after 12 course.
- in greater dose: no higher level of euphoria, but more negative experiences.
- Effects are influenced by: personality, mood, mental state, expectation, context.
Somatic effect LSD
Dilated pupils Increased blood pressure Tremor Sweating Dizziness Nausea Enervation Blurring of sight
Mental effect LSD
Distortion in time perception Longer response time Illusions Distortions in sight Visual and auditory hallucinations Laughing Memory problems Anixety Depersonalization
