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Understanding Psychoactive Drugs: Effects and Risks

Explore the impact of psychoactive drugs on consciousness, the brain, and behavior. Learn about tolerance, dependence, and effects of stimulants, hallucinogens, opiates, and depressants. Understand the potential risks and therapeutic uses of these mind-altering substances.

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Understanding Psychoactive Drugs: Effects and Risks

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  1. Module 8 States ofConsciousness

  2. Psychoactive Drugs • mind altering chemicals • they change how you perceive and feel • psychological effects depend on dosage, form taken, expectations, personality of user & situation

  3. Drug effect Response to first exposure After repeated exposure, more drug is needed to produce same effect Drug dose Drug Tolerance • Tolerance • Decrease in effect of a drug with repeated use…

  4. Drug Dependence • Psychological Dependence • a psychological need to use a drug • Physical Dependence • discomfort and distress that follow discontinued use of an addictive drug • Addiction • Compulsive drug seeking behavior • Control over drug use is lost

  5. Psychoactive Drugs • 4 common Classes of Psychoactive Drugs • stimulants • hallucinogens • depressants • opiates

  6. Stimulants • Stimulants(“uppers”) • drugs that stimulate neural activity, cause accelerated body functions along w/ elevated energy and mood changes, increased alertness, and decreased appetite… • caffeine • nicotine • amphetamines (speed) • cocaine

  7. Hallucinogens • psychedelic (mind-altering) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (illusogens) • LSD • Marijuana • Ecstasy • Bufotenin (toad licking) • Mescaline (peyote) • PCP (angel dust) • Ketamine (Special K) • Ololuiqui (morning glory seeds)

  8. Hallucinogens: THC (marijuana) • THC • the major active ingredient in marijuana • mild hallucinogen • amplifies sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes, smells

  9. THC (marijuana) • can be therapeutic • if suffering pain and nausea • severe weight loss • eye pressure • marijuana can relieve symptoms • marijuana legalized for those purposes • in some states • California & Arizona, ’96

  10. Opiates • Drugs that work as analgesics • euphorogenics Morphine Heroin

  11. Depressants • Central Nervous System Depressants-reduce neural activity and slow body functions (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates)

  12. Depressants • At higher doses, depressants lead to • relief from anxiety • disinhibition • general anesthesia • increased drowsiness • lethargy • amnesia • seizures (inhibits seizures) • hypnotic effects • sedation • hypnosis • coma • death

  13. Keep an Eye on that Drink! • Date rape drugs • Rohypnol – Flunitrazepam - ROOFIES; sedative causing muscle relaxation and amnesia

  14. …Mild to Severe Effects of Stimulants mild to moderate…… ….severe mood amplification (better mood)……………………….> irritability, hostility, anxiety, fear, withdrawal heightened energy………... extreme energy or exhaustion Increased wakefulness…………> total insomnia motor excitement or restlessness…………………> compulsive motor stereotypies (weird movements/ticks) talkativeness……………….> rambling incoherent speech increased sexual interest…...> decreased sexual interest anger, verbal aggression…..> possible extreme violence mild to moderate anorexia…> total anorexia increased self-esteem………> delusion of grandiosity From Keith Trujillo lecture notes, neuropsychopharmacology course

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