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Flashcards in Drugs— Test 4 Deck (24)
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1
Q

Psychoactive Drugs

A

Chemical substances that cross the blood-brain barrier, and act to alter brain functioning.

The effects of a particular drug depend on which neurotransmitter system it activates

2
Q

Depressants

A

Decrease state of mind (Pain killers, heroin, alcohol, sleeping pills)

3
Q

Stimulant

A

Increase state of mind (Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Ritalin, MDMA, DXM, Caffeine, Tobacco)

4
Q

Hallucinogen

A

Alter state of mind (LSD, Salvia, Psilocybin, PCP)

5
Q

Drug use most prevalent ages _

A

18-20

6
Q

Drug addiction

A

Drug use that remains compulsive despite its negative consequences.

7
Q

Dependence involves _

A

Tolerance and Withdrawal

8
Q

Tolerance

A

Increasing amounts of a drug needed to attain intended effect

9
Q

Withdrawal

A

Psychological state characterized by feelings of anxiety, tension, and cravings for the addictive substance

10
Q

Caffeine definition

A

A stimulant that increases alertness, and is viewed by some as a potential cognitive enhancer (used by 90% of population)

11
Q

Caffeine effects

A

Adenosine: A neurotransmitter that slows down neural activity, causing ‘sleepiness’. Caffeine binds to these adenosine receptors, w/o decreasing neural activity.

Triggers pituitary gland to secrete adrenalin, which also increases ‘alertness’

Withdrawal symptoms include headache, irritability, inability to concentrate, and are the result of the body generating even more adenosine receptors

Cognitive enhancer: Some evidence suggests it can improve vigilance, attention, and memory

No evidence of long-term cognitive impairment (some evidence that it protects from Parkinson’s Disease)

12
Q

Ethanol definition

A

Ethanol is the main psychoactive ingredient in alcoholic beverages. A depressant that has a complex range of effects on the brain.

13
Q

Ethanol effects

A

Decreases neural activity by enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA

Decreases neural activity by inhibiting the processing of the excitatory neurotransmitter, Glutamate

Increases dopamine levels, which can contribute to alcohol addiction

Impairments in motor control, perception, executive functioning & memory.

Large amounts of alcohol consumption leads to cognitive decline

14
Q

Korsakoff’s syndrome

A

A neurological disease associated with neuronal degeneration, due to a deficiency in Vitamin B, with severe memory impairments. Often arises due to alcoholism.

15
Q

THC

A

The active ingredient in marijuana. Not easily categorized as a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogen

16
Q

THC effects

A

Cannaboid receptors are responsible for regulating mood, memory, appetite, pain & emotions

Anandamide: A neurotransmitter that binds to cannabinoid receptors. THC acts to mimic anandamide, binding to its intended receptors, which in turn decreases neural activity.

THC also increases dopamine levels (causing pleasure)

Young and adolescent use of marijuana has been shown to lead to deficits in memory, along with changes in subcortical brain structure, including the hippocampus.

17
Q

LSD / Psilocybin definition

A

Lysergic acid diethyl amide (LSD) & Psilocybin (‘Shrooms’) are popular hallucinogens, with similar subjective effects

Both drugs work by mimicking serotonin, yet does a better job activating those serotonin receptors (also directly increases serotonin levels)

18
Q

LSD / Psilocybin effects

A

Increase in neural signal strength due to LSD also boosts ‘noise’ levels as well, which partially explains hallucinations

Strong perceptual effects:
Auditory and visual hallucinations. ‘Walls and floor breathing’, synesthesia-like effects, appearance of moving geometric patterns, ‘tracers’ with moving stimuli

Psychoemotional effects:
Some report life-changing positive effects of these hallucinogenic, and feelings of ‘transcendence’.

19
Q

MDMA definition

A

3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA):

The active ingredient in the stimulant, Ecstasy (aka Molly)

20
Q

MDMA effects

A

Primarily acts by stimulating release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine…

Also blocks serotonin reuptake, further increasing serotonin levels

MDMA increases sense of well-being and euphoria. Increased sociability, and mild hallucinations (particularly sensitive to touch)

This excessive use of serotonin in the brain can lead to a deficit soon afterwards, often leading to a depressed mood for days after coming down

21
Q

Cocaine definition

A

A potent natural stimulant, derived from the cocoa plant (crack is simply a less-pure cocaine, mixed typically w/ baking soda)

22
Q

Cocaine effects

A

Acts by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin

Cocaine high yields a temporary increase in energy and alertness, elevated mood, sociability and boosted self esteem (typically 5-30 min)

Highly psychologically addictive:
Dopamine increases substantially in the brain’s pleasure-reward circuit

Cognitive decline in attention and memory

23
Q

Opiates definition

A

A class of depressants that originates from the poppy (include heroin & morphine)

24
Q

Opiates effects

A

Opiates are structurally similar to endorphins, and thus readily bind to endorphin receptors.
—Endorphins decrease pain: naturally associated w/ runner’s high, childbirth, sexual activity & excitement

Opiates are physiologically addictive:
Excess use of heroin sends a signal to brain to decrease endorphin production, thereby eventually causing a physiological dependence

Opiates have been shown to decrease neurogenesis in the rat Hippocampus