Unit 2 - Psychoactive Drugs

Question 1

What is substance use disorder?

Answer 1

• The uncontrolled use of a substance despite its harmful effects
• Constant use builds up a tolerance through neuroadaptation
• Withdrawl can lead to side effects

Question 2

What are the major classes of psychoactive drugs?

Answer 2

1.) Depressants
2.) Stimulants
3.) Hallucinogens

Question 3

What are depressants?

Answer 3

Drugs that can calm neural activity and slow down body functions
(ex: Alcohol, barbiturates, opiates (constant use leads to no production of endorphins))

Question 4

What are stimulants?

Answer 4

Drugs that excites neural activity and speeds up body functions and includes amphetamines (drugs that stimulate neural activity)
(Ex: Nicotine, cocaine (blocks reuptake), methamphetamine, ecstasy)

Question 5

What are hallucinogens?

Answer 5

Drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory output.
(ex: LSD. marijuana)

Question 6

Opiate-derived drugs such as heroin and morphine act as agonists for which neurotransmitters in the human body?

Answer 6

Endorphins
- Opiate derived drugs are chemically similar and act in the same way as the body natural endorphins