Module 5.3 - Drugs Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Module 5.3 - Drugs Deck (40)
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1
Q

drugs

A

external substances that are taken for a specific effect

2
Q

agonist

A

a substance that enhances or mimics the activity of a neurotransmitter

3
Q

antagonist

A

a substance that blocks or inhibits the activity of a neurotransmitter

4
Q

do agonists produce “drug effects” or do antagonists?

A

Both agonists and antagonists can produce “drug effects”

5
Q

list 4 ways that drugs affect the brain

A

1) altering the amount of the neurotransmitter being released into the synapse
2) preventing the reuptake (i.e., reabsorption back into the cell that released it)
3) blocking the receptor that the neurotransmiter would normally bind to
4) binding to the receptor in place of the neurotransmitter

6
Q

dopamine

A

a neurotransmitter that is involved in responses to rewarding, pleasurable feelings

7
Q

what is likely related to the ‘high’ associated with many drugs?

A

dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is likely related to the ‘high’ associated with many drugs

8
Q

true or false: the environmental setting influences drug effects

A

True

ie., 3 glasses of wine at a part vs. at home

9
Q

what are 3 long term effects of drug abuse?

A

1) tolerance
2) Physical Dependence
3) Psychological Dependence

10
Q

Tolerance

A

when repeated use of a drug results in a need for a higher dose to get the intended effect

11
Q

down regulation

A

receptors move further from the surface of the post synaptic cell. as a result theres fewer receptors available for the neurotransmitter and the stimulation goes back to the normal state like before you started messing with drugs

12
Q

physical dependence

A

the need to take a drug to ward off unpleasant physical withdrawal symptoms

13
Q

psychological dependence

A

occurs when addiction develops without any physical symptoms of withdrawal

14
Q

what 3 factors cause dependence

A

Biological, Psychological and Social factors

15
Q

stimulants

A

a category of drugs that speed up the nervous system, typically enhancing wakefulness and alertness

16
Q

what drug blocks dopamine reuptake?

A

cocaine

17
Q

what drug stimulates dopamine release?

A

methamphetamines

18
Q

ecstasy (MDMA)

A

a club drug that is typically classified as a stimulant but also has hallucinogenic effects

19
Q

what does ecstasy do?

A

stimulates the release of serotonin and also blocks its reuptake

20
Q

hallucinogenic drugs

A

substances that produce perceptual distortions

21
Q

what 2 drugs influence serotonin?

A

LSD and psilocybin (mushrooms)

22
Q

what drug blocks glutamate receptors?

A

Ketamine

23
Q

what is the primary psychoactive ingredient in ayahuasca

A

DMT (the “spirit drug”)

24
Q

salvia divinorum

A

an herb that grows in central and south america that induces highly intense but short-lived hallucinations

25
Q

dissociative experiences

A

a detachment between self and body (salvia divinorum leads to it)

26
Q

Marijuana

A

a drug comprising the leaves and buds of the cannabis plant that produces a combination of hallucinogenic, stimulant and relaxing (narcotic) effects

27
Q

what is the active ingredient in marijuana? what brain chemical does it mimic?

A

the active ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and it mimics the brain chemical anadamide

28
Q

what does THC affect

A

THC affects executive processes like attentional control and decision making

29
Q

Opiates (narcotics)

A

drugs such as heroin and morphine that reduce pain and induce extremely intense feelings of euphoria

30
Q

where do opiates bind

A

opiates bind to endorphin receptors in the nervous system; they reduce pain and produce pleasurable sensations

31
Q

sedative drugs

A

drugs that depress or reduce activity of the central nervous system

32
Q

barbiturates

A

were used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; they could also impair brainstem functioning

33
Q

benzodiazepines

A

include prescription drugs such as Xanax, Ativan, and Valium

34
Q

what increases the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

A

benzodiazepines

35
Q

GABA

A

an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps reduce feelings of anxiety or panic

36
Q

True of False: Non-prescribed drugs are among the most commonly abused substances in north america

A

FALSE: prescription drugs are among the most commonly abused substances in north america

37
Q

stimulants like _____ stimulate similar brain areas as cocaine (although the effects are slower and less intense)

A

ritalin

38
Q

oxycontin

A

a pain reliever that slowly releases an opioid over the course of approximately 12 hours

39
Q

alcohol

A

alcohol initially targets GABA receptors in the brain, and subsequently affects opiate and dopamine receptors

40
Q

alcohol myopia

A

o When intoxicated, people often pay more attention to cues related to their desires and impulses (e.g., good-looking people) and less attention to cues related to inhibiting those desires (e.g., friends, condom machines)