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Psychoactive Drugs. Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) Active Ingredient = THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) Short-Term Effects Slowed thinking Distorted sense of time and space Loss of balance and coordination Increased appetite Anxiety Short Term Memory Long-Term Effects
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Psychoactive Drugs Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) Active Ingredient = THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) Short-Term Effects Slowed thinking Distorted sense of time and space Loss of balance and coordination Increased appetite Anxiety Short Term Memory Long-Term Effects Effects Central Nervous System Respiratory problems = lung cancer Loss of ability to add to long term memory Medical usage = Glaucoma, nausea in cancer, relieves pain in MS patients. Stored in fatty tissue for several weeks. Detect in urine = 27 days
Narcotics • Opiates – Unripened seeds of the poppy flower. Kill pain, suppress coughs and relax => VERY ADDICTIVE • Morphine = pain killer • Codeine = cough suppressant • Methadone = used to ‘ease’ heroin addicts to avoid withdrawal
Narcotics (cont.) • Heroin (smack, horse) • Short term effects = mental confusion, low BP, decrease in HR, low body temp., respiratory depression • Long term = constipation, diminished fertility, mood swings • Easy to OVERDOSE
Stimulants • Amphetamines (speed, bennies, uppers) = Speeds up the CNS. Medically used to reduce appetite and treat nervous disorder. • Effects = Gives a “rush”, headache, diarrhea, sweating. Also makes you mistrustful. • Overdose = convulsions, coma, death. Methamphetamine (crystal, ice, meth) = An illegal member of the Amphetamine family. The yellowish crystals are crushed and smoked, injected, or inhaled. The effects last for hours. Effects = euphoria, loss of appetite, increased alertness, hyperactivity. Extremely addictive! Dangers = permanent brain damage, kidney and liver damage. Cocaine (snow, rock) = comes from the coca plant. As a paste it can be smoked. As a white powder is can be snorted, smoked, or eaten. As a rock, it is smoked. It speeds up the CNS, especially the pleasure center and may cause a loss of knowing reality. An overdose will bring on a stroke or heart attack. Physically and psychologically dependent.
Depressants • Depressants, in general, slow the function of the CNS and have effects similar to drinking alcohol. When used in combination with alcohol, the effects are increased. An overdose may cause a person to stop breathing. • Rohypnol (roofies) – A powerful hypnotic drug which is used as a date-rape drug. It easily dissolves into drinks without a noticeable taste. • DMX (dextromethorphan) = Used in prescription cough syrup. In higher doses, the user feels “spacey”.
Inhalants • Inhalants = gasses that are inhaled from various products including paint, glue, propane, and nitrous oxide. • Short term Effects = Similar to alcohol. Dizziness, loss of inhibitions, loss of coordination. • Long term Effects = Liver, lung, and kidneys. Tremors, coordination, speech, walking. • Damage • Killing massive numbers of brain cells is the major issue • May damage other organs • Can cause sudden death
Club Drugs • Ecstasy – MDMA • (mthylenedioxymethampetamine) • Effects – Stimulant and hallucinogen • Side Effects = muscle tension, rapid heart heat, impaired memory, high blood pressure, possible heart attack, possible heat stroke because the ability to control body temperature is decreased. GHB (Gamma Hydroxbutyrate) – clear liquid or white powder. Used as a rape drug. Effects – Euphoria, relaxation, dizziness, loss of inhibitions, Higher doses cause of loss of memory, respiratory problems, seizures, coma, and death. Ketamine, also known as ‘Special K’. Effects = hallucinations, numbness, inability to move, loss of memory, and dissociation. Often used as a rape drug. PCP, also called Angel Dust. Effects = mild euphoria, distortion of reality, psychotic behavior. Suicide and accidental death are common as are seizures and coma. The effects last a few hours to several days.
Hallucinogens • LSD (Acid) = Made from a grain fungus. • Method = Usually a small square of paper placed in the mouth. • Effect – Rise in blood pressure, chills, fever, trembling, and confusion of the senses. • Sometimes users panic when they can’t stop the trip. • Flashbacks = LSD is fat soluble and flashbacks may occur. • Addiction = the psychological desire to continue using is overwhelming. Psilocybin (mushrooms) – Eaten. Effects = cramps, sweating, vomiting, followed by a trip. PCP – talked about earlier….can also be a hallucinogen.