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Drugs

Drugs. Influences on Drug Use. Biological – heredity Identical twins Adoption studies Boys at age 6 excitable, fearless, impulsive (genetic traits) are more likely to take drugs NPY – brain chemical more sensitive to alcohol Gene identified to predispose people to alcohol dependence

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Drugs

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  1. Drugs

  2. Influences on Drug Use • Biological – heredity • Identical twins • Adoption studies • Boys at age 6 excitable, fearless, impulsive (genetic traits) are more likely to take drugs • NPY – brain chemical more sensitive to alcohol • Gene identified to predispose people to alcohol dependence • Psychological • Lacking sense of purpose • Stress • Depression • Social-cultural • Urban enviro • Cultural attitude toward drugs • Peer influences

  3. Drugs • Our brain is protected by a layer of capillaries called the blood-brain barrier. • The drugs that are small enough to pass through are called psychoactive drugs.

  4. Psychoactive Drugs • Chemicals that alter moods and perceptions through actions on neural synapses • Altered state (altered moods and perceptions)associated with changes in brain activity • Examples: alcohol, marijuana, cocaine (depressants, hallucinogens, stimulants)

  5. Dependence and Addiction • Addiction – compulsive craving for a drug despite adverse consequences • Tolerance – need to take larger and larger doses to experience the same effects • Neuroadaptation - change in brain chemistry that offsets the effects of a psychoactive drug • Withdrawal – discomfort and distress that follow the discontinued use of certain drugs (aches, nausea, distress) • Physical dependence – physiological need for a drug indicated by withdrawal symptoms • Psychological dependence – psychological need to use a drug

  6. Drugs are either…. • Agonists – mimics neurotransmitters • Opiates (heroine, morphine) mimic endorphins • Antagonists – block neurotransmitters • LSD – blocks serotonin • Reuptake inhibitors • Cocaine – blocks reuptake of dopamine, Ecstasy blocks reuptake of serotonin

  7. Depressants • Slows down body processes and calms neural activity. • Breathing slows, pupils constrict, anxiety replaced by pleasure • Alcohol • Barbiturates/ tranquilizers • Opiates (morphine, heroine)

  8. Alcohol • More than 86 billion dollars are spent annually on alcoholic beverages. • Alcohol is involved in 60% of ALL crimes. • Alcohol is involved in over 70% of sexually related crimes. • Is it worth the cost?

  9. Opiates • Agonist for endorphins. • Morphine, heroin, methadone and codeine. • Pupils constrict, breathing slows, lethargy, blissful pleasure replaces pain and anxiety • Highly addictive • Brain stops producing own opiates (endorphins) • brain will lack painkilling neurotransmitters after withdrawal

  10. Stimulants • Excite neural activity and speed up body processes. • Increased heart and breathing rates, pupils dilate, appetite diminishes, energy increases • More powerful ones (like cocaine) give people feelings of invincibility. • Amphetamines • Methamphetamines • Caffeine • Nicotine • Cocaine • Ecstasy

  11. Hallucinogens • Psychedelics • Causes changes in perceptions of reality • LSD, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana. • Reverse tolerance or synergistic effect

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