Unit VII: States of Consciousness: Psychoactive drugs

Unit VII: States of Consciousness: Psychoactive drugs

BackgroundPsychoactive drugs categorized:• Medically• Specifically, how they effect the CNS


BackgroundFive Major categories 1.Depressants2.Stimulants3.Opioids / Opiates 4.Hallucinogens/psychedelic

drugs 5.Marijuana


Psychoactive drugsMy suggestion, make yourself a chart of

the five categories of drugs to help you keep the information in order, like what’s on page 301

For example:• Category• What they do• Effects• Examples


1) DepressantsWhat they do • Slows (depresses) neural

activity • Mostly effects:–Frontal lobe–Hindbrain


1) DepressantsEffects on the nervous system &

bodyAfferent & efferent neurons, motor cortex all affected (slowed)• Slows reaction time



bodyAssociation areas in frontal lobe depressed • Impairs judgment• Impairs long-term planning• Lessens inhibitions• Reduces self-awareness



bodyBroca’s area affected• Slurring of speech



bodyEffects cerebellum• Overconsumption -> balance, coordination problems



bodyEffects brainstem (Medulla oblongata) • Depresses automatic functions,

could stop if too much consumed• Heartbeat, breathing, ability to

vomit


1) DepressantsEffects on memory• No effect on short-term recall or existing long-term memories• However, difficult to create long-term memories


1) DepressantsEffects on memory• Also, state dependant memory• Memories made while intoxicated are hard to remember when sober.• Able to remember next time in that state (drunk)


1) DepressantsMajor depressants • Alcohol• Barbiturates–Anesthesia–Sleeping pills –Also known as “Downers”


1) DepressantsMajor depressants, continued • Tranquilizers–AKA: Sedatives –Treat anxiety–Examples: Valium & Xanax


2) StimulantsWhat they do • Increase activity of the CNS


2) StimulantsEffects on the nervous system &

body• Heighten alertness• Increase energy• Speed up bodily functions



body• Speeds up CNS/automatic functions (respiratory, cardiac)• Can overtax/permanently damage these parts of the body



body• Many mimic effects of neurotransmitters• Highly physically addictive• Tolerance built up quickly • Makes withdrawal difficult


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants • Amphetamines–Synthetic stimulant–“Speed”


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants • Cocaine–Derived from leaves of coca plant–Crack: concentrated form


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants • Ecstasy –Methyenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

• Anything in large enough amounts is a hallucinogen (i.e., stimulant)


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants • Caffeine –Most popular drug in the world–Found in coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, etc.


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants • Nicotine–Highly addictive–Found in tobacco


2) StimulantsMajor stimulants• Nicotine, continued –Mimics neurotransmitters:•Acetylcholine•Dopamine•Vasopressin: causes high blood pressure


2) StimulantsHow cocaine works: 1/3• Agonist – blocks reuptake of:–Dopamine–Serotonin–Norepinephrine

• More of them bind to neuroreceptor site than usually do

• Excess of neurotransmitters causes euphoric rush


2) StimulantsHow cocaine works: 2/3• Stop use of cocaine • Natural neurotransmitters used

up quicker than usually • Body producing at same rate


2) StimulantsHow cocaine works: 3/3• Body crashes because lacks

these neurotransmitters• Leads to agitation (lack of

dopamine) depression (lack of serotonin & norepinephrine)


2) StimulantsHow ecstasy works: • Dopamine & Serotonin Agonist–Vesicle release excess of both –Blocks reuptake of both

• More of them bind to neuroreceptor site than usually do• Causes good feeling (Serotonin),

want to keep taking it (Dopamine)


3) Opiods/Opiates What they are • Derived from alkaloids of resin of opium plant• Can be natural, synthetic, partially synthetic


3) Opiods/Opiates What they are • Used as pain relief• Decreases perception & reaction to pain


3) Opiods/Opiates What they are •Agonist•Mimics endorphins (body’s natural pain block)


3) Opiods/Opiates What they are/effects • Sometimes (incorrectly) put into the depressant category• Can depress bodily functions (respiratory functions, etc) • Different method than depressants


3) Opiods/Opiates What they are/effects • Depressants slow hindbrain• Opioids depress respiratory function itself • Causes drowsiness


3) Opiods/Opiates Effects on the nervous system &

body• Intense feeling of euphoria• Highly physically addictive• Tolerance builds up very quickly• More and more needed to

prevent withdrawal• No longer produces euphoria,

just maintaining level to function


3) Opiods/Opiates Major opiods• Opium (natural)• Morphine (natural)• Codeine (natural)• Diacetylmorphine (heroin) (semi-synthetic)• Methadone (fully synthetic)


4) Hallucinogens/psychedelic drugs

What they are• Distort perceptions• Cause heightened sensory alertness (colors seem brighter, sounds clearer, etc.) • Cause hallucinations



Addiction• Not physically addicting• Strongly psychologicallyTypes• Natural substances• Synthetic



Natural• Mesculine: peyote cactus• Psilocybin: certain types of

mushrooms




mushroomsSynthetic




mushroomsSynthetic • Phencyclidine: PCP or angel

dust• Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): acid



Effects•How alter perceptions still unclear• Serotonin receptors?• Effects people differently in different situations (why is unclear)


5) MarijuanaBackground• Sometimes put into one of the other categories• Or, considered its its own category


5) MarijuanaBackgroundDepressants• Depresses the neural system• Depresses inhibitions, judgment, etc


5) MarijuanaBackgroundHallucinogenic• Causes (usually mild) hallucinations


5) MarijuanaBackgroundOpioids• Feeling of euphoria• Drowsiness• However, not derived from opium poppy


5) MarijuanaBackgroundStimulant• Can stimulate mood• Intensifies mood of user


5) MarijuanaWhat it is• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC)• Active ingredient of marijuana • Found in leaves, flowering top of

hemp plant Cannabis• Hashish: cooked down, mashed

into a paste


5) MarijuanaEffects on the nervous system &

body• How THC effects brain largely unknown• THC neuroreceptors found in:–Frontal lobe–Limbic system–Motor cortex



body• Because THC neuroreceptor

found, neurotransmitter in the body apparently• Haven’t found it & don’t know

what it does• Have found similar

neurotransmitters, just not for THC



body• Low physically addictive • High psychologically addictive• THC lingers in body for a month

or so• Body does not build up a

tolerance• Small dose needed to produce

desired effect

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Unit VII: States of Consciousness: Psychoactive drugs

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