AP Psychology Drug Use: Effects on the Brain and Behavior

1. AP PsychologyDrug Use: Effects on the Brain and Behavior

2. Basic Brain Facts: What we already know about the human brain • The brain controls basic functions like your heart rate, alertness, balance and breathing (critical life functions). (Brain Stem) • The brain interprets and processes information from your senses (Sensation & Perception), thinking and emotion. (Cerebral Cortex) • The brain handles your emotions, motivations and perception. (Limbic System)

3. Basic Brain Facts: Communication between your Brain and your Body. • The Nervous System, made up of neurons, connects every part of your body to your brain. • Neurons receive and transmit messages between your body and your brain. • Neurotransmitters are chemicals which instigate electrical impulses between neurons. • This “chain reaction” allows information to travel between your body and your brain. • Each type of neurotransmitter or, neurochemical has a specific “receptor” on a neuron. The “connection” signals the brain to initiate certain changes or adjustments the body and/or behavior.

4. Drugs and your Brain • Drugs can affect the ability of neurotransmitters by speeding up (stimulating) or blocking (inhibiting) communication between neurons. • In turn, this can lead to misinterpretation of stimuli in the brain and therefore an altered perception of reality, bodily needs and reactions. • All drugs, legal and illegal, have an effect on the brain in some capacity. • Drugs that are misused or abused are done so because of their perceived pleasurable neuro-effect by the user. • These drugs can be addictive, and dangerous to the user and those around them. • The brain encourages repeating behaviors that are associated with pleasure or reward. Drugs which produce this can become addictive.

5. Categories of Abused Drugs: • Stimulants • Narcotics • Hallucinogens • Depressants

6. Stimulants • Stimulants will stimulate neurotransmitters and speed up communication between the brain and the nervous system. • Different stimulants mirror different neurochemicals and affect the brain, behavior and the body.

7. Narcotics • Narcotics will inhibit neurotransmitters and slow down communication between the brain and the nervous system. • Different narcotics mirror different neurochemicals and affect the brain, behavior and the body.

8. Depressants • Depressants will inhibit neurotransmitters and slow down communication between the brain and the nervous system. • Different depressants mirror different neurochemicals and affect the brain, behavior and the body.

9. Hallucinogens: Psychedelics • Hallucinogens cause distorted perceptions of the environment • Small amounts change how the brain functions: • Brain cells fire at random, causing confusion and distorted perception of reality

10. Alcohol: A Depressant • Effect on the brain with continued use: • Inhibits neurotransmissions • With abuse, alcohol intake replaces food leading to vitamin deficiencies, which can damage brain cells.

11. Alcohol: Physical and Psychological (Behavior) Effects • Physical effects can include: • Depressed breathing • Can lead to loss of consciousness (cells and neurotransmitters shut down) • Nausea • Unsteady movement • Addiction can lead to liver damage • Psychological effects can include: • Reduced inhibitions which can lead to risk-taking behavior • Behavior can be outside of social norms • Blackouts can cause short term memory loss • Dependence on alcohol to deal with stress • Withdraw from dependency can include: • Anxiety, hallucinations, muscle weakness and body aches

12. Nicotine: • Nicotine mirrors the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. • Acetylcholine causes: • Body: Increased heart rate/respiration • Behavior: Increased sense of alertness • Nicotine also initiates the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. • Dopamine stimulates: • Feeling of pleasure. (Usually this is stimulated from food, comfort and love)

13. Nicotine Addiction • Increased dopamine levels from nicotine causes the brain to limit the natural production of dopamine. • Because of this, smokers need nicotine to reach “normal” levels of dopamine. • Therefore, nicotine is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE

14. Nicotine Addiction: Behaviors • Withdrawal symptoms include irritability and depression. • Physical effects of extended nicotine addiction can include lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and other issues. • Senses: Reduced smell and taste. • Physical Stamina: Reduced • Physical Appearance: Accelerated skin aging, discolored teeth. • Psychological effects of nicotine addiction include a greater risk of anxiety disorders, panic attacks, or depression, especially among teens.

15. Marijuana: • Marijuana stimulates the release of dopamine, which stimulates the sensation of pleasure or euphoria. • Feeling is short in duration. • Parts of the brain inhibited by Marijuana (THC bonds to certain neuron receptors in brain) • Hippocampus: Learning and memory (Studies on rats indicate that long term THC exposure causes permanent damage to neurons in this area.) • Cerebellum: Basic bodily functions. • Basal Ganglia: Connects Cerebral Cortex to brainstem and spinal cord. • Cerebral Cortex: Thinking and emotion.

16. Marijuana: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects of Regular or Extended Use • Physical effects include an increased heart rate, dry mouth, and dilated blood vessels in eyes. • Short term memory loss • Increased risk of bronchial illnesses • Psychological effects include: • Increased risk of anxiety and mood disorders (depression) • Possible paranoia or hallucinations (usually when mixed with other drugs)

17. Marijuana: Regular Use and Withdrawal Symptoms • Physical Sensations/Behaviors Associated with Marijuana Use: • Poor coordination • Possible anxiety/paranoia with higher doses • Mood swings • Increased appetite • Withdrawal symptoms can include irritability, sleep disorders and weight loss. • Can be similar to that of smokers.

18. Hallucinogens: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects (Examples: LSD/Psychedelic Mushrooms) • Physical effects can include: • State of excitement or euphoria • Increased pulse rate • Insomnia • Psychological (Behavioral) effects include: • Distorted perceptions can lead to panic or risk-taking behavior that can harm the self and others. • Can create a trance-like or catatonic state

19. Inhalants: • Numerous chemicals are usually inhaled. • Some dissipate quickly. • Some chemicals are absorbed by the brain. • Some are absorbed by myelin (fatty tissue that protects nerve fibers) • Long term use can permanently destroy myelin, which can inhibit neurotransmitters from effectively communicating with the brain.

20. Inhalants: • Physical effects of Inhalant use: • Oxygen to the brain can be cut off or reduced. • Effects can be permanent and are dependent on what area of the brain is deprived of oxygen and for what duration. • Damage to heart, kidneys and liver. • Can also cause anemia.

21. Inhalants: Specific chemicals and possible physical effects • Toluene ( spray paint, glue, dewaxer, fingernail polish): hearing loss (sensation / perception), brain/spinal cord damage (myelin), liver and kidney damage, increases dopamine activity. • Trichloroethylene ( cleaning fluid, correction fluid): hearing loss (sensation / perception), liver and kidney damage. • Hexane (glue, gasoline): loss of conciseness, muscle spasms. • Nitrous Oxide (whipped cream dispensers, gas cylinders): loss of conciseness, muscle spasms. • Benzene (gasoline): bone marrow damage, anemia.

22. Inhalants: Specific Chemicals and possible physical effects con’t. • Butane (lighters): stimulates neurotransmitter, noradrenaline, which increases heart rate. (Perceived stressful situation by body) • Heart rhythm can be disrupted, which can be lethal in a short time period • Nitrates: stimulates heart rate and enlarges blood vessels. • Can cause dizziness and headaches • Basic Facts: Inhalant use can cause irreversible damage.

23. Inhalants: Psychological and Behavioral Implications • Disorientation, depressed breathing • Inattentiveness • Clumsy movements, slurred speech • Irritability • Depression • Nausea, vomiting REMEMBER: Permanent damage to the brain and body can happen with the FIRST use.

24. Anabolic Steroids • Synthetic hormones that mirror the natural male hormone, testosterone. • Affect natural hormonal balances in the body. • Used often to build up bulk and muscle • Can be fatal or cause permanent damage to your body

25. Anabolic Steroids: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Steroids cause body cells to produce certain proteins which can affect the body in various ways. • Possible Physical effects include: • Shrunken testicles/lower sperm count/enlarged breasts for males • Weaker immune system • Excessive hair growth (female) or hair loss (male) • Deeper voice/shrunken breasts for females • Pimples and acne (can be severe) • Can cause liver tumors and heart problems/increased risk of stroke

26. Anabolic Steroids: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects Con’t. • Psychological and behavioral effects can include: • Limbic system in brain is affected (balances moods/emotions) • Irritability, and possible rage (“roid rage” – aggressive violence-danger to self and others) • Euphoria • Can go from one extreme to the other quickly • Can cause depression, mania and delusions

27. Amphetamine Stimulants • Increases energy and excitement. • The body builds a tolerance quickly by adapting to a need for increased doses. • Highly addictive

28. Cocaine: Stimulant similar to Amphetamines • Neurotransmitters release dopamine which leads to the feeling of pleasure. • Dopamine receptors, with repeated use of stimulants, are reduced. This requires increased and more frequent use of the stimulant to achieve same levels of pleasure.

29. Cocaine: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Physical effects of cocaine include: • Increased heart rate and blood pressure • Increased body temperature (high levels can lead to convulsions) • Constriction of blood vessels (higher blood pressure) • Increased risk of stroke or irregular heart rhythm • Dilated pupils • Increased metabolism and energy levels

30. Cocaine: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Psychological (behavioral) effects of cocaine use include: • Short term euphoria • Possible hostility or paranoia with repeated use • Increased risk of panic attacks and anxiety • Restlessness, irritability, insomnia • Long term use can reduce sex drive • With long term use, paranoid psychosis with auditory hallucinations can occur • Long term use can also increase mood disturbances

31. Methamphetamines • Stimulant similar to amphetamines • Longer and more intense effects • Highly addictive • Stimulates release of high levels of dopamine • Like with others, the brain eventually adjusts and requires higher levels of the drug to achieve the initial feeling of euphoria with first use.

32. Methamphetamines: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Physical effects of methamphetamine use includes: • Increased wakefulness, energy, insomnia • Increased heart and breathing rate • Can cause irregular heart beat • Increased blood pressure • Decreased appetite • Dental problems

33. Methamphetamine: Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Psychological effects can include: • Anxiety • Confusion • Mood disturbances, including possible violent behaviors • Long term use can cause: • Psychotic features: paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations/delusions • Cognitive changes with regards to emotion control and memory

34. MDMA (Ecstasy) / Club Drugs • Stimulates sensory perception of reality • Neurotransmitters become over-stimulated • Has psychedelic properties • Leads to distortions in perception • Research has indicated that repeated use can damage the ability of the brain to produce serotonin.

35. MDMA (Ecstasy) / Club Drugs: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Physical effects can include: • Increased heart rate and blood pressure • Increased body temperature • Can lead to dehydration, or in severe cases, hypothermia and in extreme cases, death • Short term hyper-awareness of surroundings • Increased energy levels • Nausea, chills, sweating, teeth clenching, muscle cramping and blurred vision can occur.

36. MDMA (Ecstasy) / Club Drugs: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Psychological effects can include: • Confusion • Depression, mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep and pain management (with inhibited production of serotonin) • Can increase risk of anxiety

37. Opiates: Narcotics • Opiates are narcotics that include heroin, morphine, codeine and their derivatives. • Can produce quick feeling of pleasure, then calmness or drowsiness. • Highly addictive • Addiction can happen very quickly

38. Opiates/Narcotics and the Brain • Natural neurochemicals, called endogenous opioids, in your brain help manage pain. Opiates are synthetic versions, and more powerful. • Effect on the brain • Influences the limbic system in particular (pleasure and relaxation) • Depresses or inhibits neurotransmitters in the brain • Inhibits or depresses areas of the brainstem • “Automatic” body functions • Examples: Stops coughing, slows breathing • Inhibits or “blocks” pain messages from neurotransmitters (spinal cord) • Brain adjusts to use of opiates and requires more to function in the opiate induced state of normalcy

39. Opiates/Narcotics: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Physical effects of opiates can include: • Drowsiness, lethargy • Slowed breathing, relaxed state • Pupils constricted • Euphoria • Withdraw symptoms include body aches, shaking, sweating, chills and fever

40. Opiates/Narcotics: Physical and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects • Psychological (Behavioral) effects • Depression with the “crash” • Extreme/desperate behavior in order to obtain more of the drug, including illegal behavior or risk taking behavior. • Dependency is difficult to treat and re-occurrence of use is high, even after treatment. • RISK OF OVERDOSE / DEATH

41. Bibliography: • McMahon, J., McMahon, F., & Romano, T. (1995). Psychology and You. St. Paul: West Publishing Company. • National Institute on Drug Abuse, (2009). NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse. Retrieved January 18, 2009, from NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse Web site: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/index.php • National Institute of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse: The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved January 23, 2009, from National Istitute of Drug Abuse and Addiction: The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction Web site: http://www.drugabuse.gov/index.html