Drugs and Consciousness Psychoactive Drugs: chemicals that alters one’s perceptions and mood.

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Drugs and Consciousness

Psychoactive Drugs: chemicals that alters one’s perceptions and mood

Continued use of psychoactive drugs can lead to tolerance Diminishing effect with regular use of

the same drug requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Side effects of tolerance Lead to withdrawal

Discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Withdrawal can cause physical pain

Physical dependence Psychological dependence

Misconceptions about addictions Addictive drugs quickly corrupt Addictions can’t be overcome

voluntarily; therapy is a must We can extend the concept of addiction

to cover not just drug dependencies but a whole spectrum of repetitive pleasure seeking behavior

Three types of psychoactive drugs Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens

Depressants: drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Alcohol Lowers inhibitions and judgment A person’s various attributes become

stronger Helpful person= more helpful Aggressive person= more aggressive Etc.

Dosage: Lower doses relax the drinker by slowing

the sympathetic nervous system Larger doses can become problematic

Denton and Krebs Bar Study

Side effects of alcohol: Effects memory

Disrupts the processing of recent experiences into long-term memories Studies also show problems transferring

memories from intoxicated mind to the sober mind

Suppresses REM sleep

Reduces self awareness Focus on immediate situation without

looking at the future 50% of rapists acknowledge drinking prior

to committing the crime

Effects of alcohol also depends on expectations Cultural expectations play a large role

Barbiturates Tranquillizers that mimic alcohol Can be used to induce sleep or lower

anxiety

Opiates Morphine and Heroin

Depress neural functions and communications

Long term withdrawal symptoms with both

Stimulants Caffeine (most used drug), nicotine,

amphetamines, and cocaine are all examples Speed up body functions Used to stay awake, lose weight, boost

mood Can be addictive Can lead to “crash”

Cocaine 3% of the population have admitted to

using cocaine Rush depletes serotonin, dopamine, and

norepinephrine which leads to the “crash”

Studies show cocaine leaves the neural reward switch in the on position

Hallucinogens Distort perception and evoke images LSD

Created in 1943 by Albert Hoffmann “…perceived an uninterrupted stream of

fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors”

Phases of hallucination Geometrical shapes meaningful

images dreamlike scenes

Marijuana Leaves and flowers of the hemp plant

(cultivated for 5,000 years for its fiber) THC is the active ingredient

delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Smoking marijuana gets THC to brain in 7 seconds

Time varies for other methods Effects of marijuana

Relaxes and produces euphoric high in subject taking marijuana

Mild hallucinations occur Amplified sensitivity to color, sound,

tastes, and smells

Side effects of marijuana Impairs motor coordination, perceptual

skills, reaction time Disrupts memory formation and recall

abilities

Depresses sex hormones in males and lowers sperm levels

More lung damage than cigarette smoking

Study followed 654 junior high students into their 20’s Found heavy users developed more

health problems and family problems than their counterparts Example of a longitudinal study

Longitudinal study Scientific study that follows a group of

people throughout a period of time Typically used to study developmental

trends

Cross-sectional study Scientific study in which data are

collected from groups of participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn about differences due to age

Drugs and Consciousness Psychoactive Drugs: chemicals that alters one’s perceptions and mood.

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