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Understanding Psychoactive Drugs and Consciousness

Explore the major categories of psychoactive drugs (depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens), their effects on psychological and physiological states, perceptual constancies, Gestalt principles, and sensory perceptions. Delve into alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, LSD, marijuana, and more. Learn how these drugs alter consciousness and impact sensory experiences.

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Understanding Psychoactive Drugs and Consciousness

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  1. WHS AP Psychology Unit 5: Sensation, Perception and States of Consciousness Essential Task 5-10:Identify the major psychoactive drug categories (depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens) and classify specific drugs, including their psychological and physiological effects.

  2. Perceptual Constancies Gestalt Principles Basic Principles Visual Illusions Depth Perception Perception Vision Hearing Sensation Theories The Eye Theories Other Senses The Ear Smell Pain Taste

  3. Circadian Rhythm Stages/REM Disorders Hidden Observer Actor Sleep Hypnosis Dreams Meditation We are here Waking Consciousness Daydreaming and Fantasy Altered States of Consciousness Drug-Altered Consciousness Substance Abuse Stimulants Depressants Hallucinogens

  4. Essential Task 5-10: Outline • Major psychoactive drug categories • Depressants • Alcohol • Barbiturates • Opiates • stimulants • Caffeine • Nicotine • Cocaine • Ecstasy • Amphetamines • Methamphetamines • Hallucinogens • LSD • Marijuana

  5. Drugs and Consciousness Psychoactive Drug: A chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood (effects consciousness).

  6. Depressants • Depressant drugs reduce neural activity and slow body functions. They include: • Common depressants are • Barbiturates • Opiates • Alcohol • (Think BOA because they constrict neural activity)

  7. Alcohol • Most used psychoactive drug in Western societies • Although most often used in moderation, about 14 million Americans have problems with alcohol • Men are three times more likely to be problem drinkers

  8. Alcohol • Highly addictive • Even moderate amounts can affect • Perception • Motor processes • Memory • Judgment • Visual acuity • Depth perception • Cognitive functioning

  9. Alcohol • Overall effect is to calm the nervous system • Sometimes perceived as a stimulant because it relaxes inhibitions

  10. Barbiturates • “Downers” – they can tranquilize • Often Used to treat insomnia • Can interfere with sleep patterns and cause dependence • Effects are similar to alcohol

  11. Opiates • Derived from the opium poppy • Includes opium, morphine, and heroin • Opiates resemble endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers • Causes euphoria followed by clouded mental functioning

  12. Stimulants • Substances that excite the central nervous system • Includes drugs such as • Caffeine • Nicotine • Cocaine • Amphetamines • Methamphetamines • Ecstasy

  13. Caffeine • Naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate • Also added to soft drinks and pain medications • Increases alertness • In high doses, caffeine can cause anxiety, headaches, heart palpitations, insomnia, and diarrhea

  14. Nicotine • Found in tobacco • Considered by many to be the most addictive stimulant in use today • Affects levels of several neurotransmitters • Depending on amount and time smoked, can have either sedative or stimulating effects • Can lead to numerous withdrawal symptoms, including nervousness, headaches, and irritability

  15. Amphetamines Amphetamines stimulate neural activity, causing accelerated body functions and associated energy and mood changes, with devastating effects. National Pictures/ Topham/ The Image Works

  16. Amphetamines • Chemically similar to epinepherine, a hormone that activates the sympathetic nervous system • Increase alertness as well as feelings of well-being • Can cause euphoria followed by a crash, including severe depression • Leads to cycle of addiction

  17. Amphetamines • Forms can include methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA) • Ecstasy acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen • Even short-term use of ecstasy may have long-term consequences

  18. Ecstasy Ecstasy or Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a stimulant and mild hallucinogen. It produces a euphoric high and can damage serotonin-producing neurons, which results in a permanent deflation of mood and impairment of memory. Greg Smith/ AP Photos

  19. Cocaine • Blocks reabsorption of dopamine • Produces increased alertness, motivation, and euphoria • Crash leads to anxiety, depression, and strong cravings

  20. Hallucinogens • Substances that distort visual and auditory perception • LSD • Produces hallucinations and delusions similar to a psychotic state • Can result in psychosis, memory loss, paranoia, panic attacks, nightmares and aggression

  21. Marijuana • THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, produces symptoms such as • Mild hallucinations • Euphoria • Enhanced sense of well-being • Relaxation • Distortion of time • Some users may experience anxiety and paranoia

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