Psychoactive Drugs -with a few noted exceptions, they usually act to depress or stimulate certain areas of the nervous system, usually by depressing or enhancing neurotransmission, by inhibiting or enhancing the release of neurotransmitters. They vary by which part of the nervous system they affect.

I. Depressants -slow or stop functioning of a part of the nervous system, either by inhibiting the release of excitatory neurotransmitters or by enhancing the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters.

(-)(+) =(-)ExcInh

Inh.Exc.=(+)(-) (-)

Net Effect

A. Barbiturates -depressants-inhibit release of excitatory neurotransmitters

-reticular formation particularly sensitive-sleep anesthesia death

OD

Inh.Exc.=(+)(-) (-)

Net Effect

B. BenzodiazepinesI. Depressants

-Valium-depress activity in limbic system and reticular formation by enhancing release of GABAExc.Inh.

=(-)(+) (-)Net Effect

C. Alcohol (Special) -small, polar molecule with very high solubility in water (blood)-proceeds into all cells of the body by osmosis and interferes with their functioning just by getting in the way -greatest blood supply in body carries alcohol to brain cells slow downfunctioning impaired brain functioning

death-alcohol “soaks” into brain from outside to inside, impairing function of cerebral cortex first and brainstem last

D. Opiates -derivatives of opium poppy-heroin, opium, morphine, codeine-sedation and pain relief-mimic natural opiates beta-endorphins and enkephalins, which are released by the brain to inhibit transmission of pain impulses and lessen the perception of pain-massage, opiates, and acupuncture all work on the same principle to reduce pain

I. Depressants

E. Cannabinoids -marijuana and hashish-by depressing higher brain centers, release lower brain centers from inhibition by higher brain centers-our “higher” brain centers are our centers for conscious rational thought and memory

D. Opiates -derivatives of opium poppy-heroin, opium, morphine, codeine-sedation and pain relief-mimic natural opiates beta-endorphins and enkephalins, which are released by the brain to inhibit transmission of pain impulses and lessen the perception of pain-massage, opiates, and acupuncture all work on the same principle to reduce pain

I. Depressants

E. Cannabinoids -marijuana and hashish-by depressing higher brain centers, release lower brain centers from inhibition by higher brain centers-our “higher” brain centers are our centers for conscious rational thought and memory

lower brain centers

D. Opiates -derivatives of opium poppy-heroin, opium, morphine, codeine-sedation and pain relief-mimic natural opiates beta-endorphins and enkephalins, which are released by the brain to inhibit transmission of pain impulses and lessen the perception of pain-massage, opiates, and acupuncture all work on the same principle to reduce pain

I. Depressants

E. Cannabinoids -marijuana and hashish-by depressing higher brain centers, release lower brain centers from inhibition by higher brain centers-our “higher” brain centers are our centers for conscious rational thought and memory

lower brain centershigher brain centers

D. Opiates -derivatives of opium poppy-heroin, opium, morphine, codeine-sedation and pain relief-mimic natural opiates beta-endorphins and enkephalins, which are released by the brain to inhibit transmission of pain impulses and lessen the perception of pain-massage, opiates, and acupuncture all work on the same principle to reduce pain

I. Depressants

E. Cannabinoids -marijuana and hashish-by depressing higher brain centers, release lower brain centers from inhibition by higher brain centers-our “higher” brain centers are our centers for conscious rational thought and memory

lower brain centershigher brain centers

inhibition

III. Hallucinogens -Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and PCP-produce hallucinations (sensory perceptions that have no external stimuli)-act to inhibit serotonin in certain brain areas which, without inhibition, become uninhibited (I could see a pink elephant when it really isn’t there if by conscious, rational mind would quit overriding those sensations)-since alcohol and cannabinoids are general depressants, they can cause hallucinations, too

II. Stimulants -increase release of excitatory neurotransmitters-amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, “bath salts” or MDVP (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone), “Ecstasy” or MDMA (4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) -caffeine (special) results in increased neurotransmssion by lowering the threshold potential (opposite of Dilantin), like making us “temporarily epileptic” (It’s also a vasoconstrictor and a diuretic)

II. Stimulants -increase release of excitatory neurotransmitters-amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, “bath salts” or MDVP (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone), “Ecstasy” or MDMA (4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) -caffeine (special) results in increased neurotransmssion by lowering the threshold potential (opposite of Dilantin), like making us “temporarily epileptic” (It’s also a vasoconstrictor and a diuretic)

III. Hallucinogens -Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and PCP-produce hallucinations (sensory perceptions that have no external stimuli)-act to inhibit serotonin in certain brain areas which, without inhibition, become uninhibited (I could see a pink elephant when it really isn’t there if my conscious, rational mind would quit overriding those sensations)-since alcohol and cannabinoids are general depressants, they can cause hallucinations, too

higher brain centers

II. Stimulants -increase release of excitatory neurotransmitters-amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine-caffeine (special) results in increased neurotransmssion by lowering the threshold potential (opposite of Dilantin), like making us “temporarily epileptic” (It’s also a vasoconstrictor and a diuretic)

III. Hallucinogens -Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and PCP-produce hallucinations (sensory perceptions that have no external stimuli)-act to inhibit serotonin in certain brain areas which, without inhibition, become uninhibited (I could see a pink elephant when it really isn’t there if my conscious, rational mind would quit overriding those sensations)-since alcohol and cannabinoids are general depressants, they can cause hallucinations, too

higher brain centerslower brain centers