 Target the Limbic System (Emotions & Primary reward circuit)  Primary Neurotransmitter is Dopamine. (Normally rewards natural behavior-Evolutionary Operant Conditioning)  Drugs ↑ Dopamine 2-10x more than natural rewards (Addiction!)  Brain produces ↓ dopamine in response to surges caused by drugs.  Causes tolerance, & causes flat/lifeless feeling

 Psychological Dependence You use a drug to maintain a sense of well-being.  Physical Dependence You use a drug to avoid physical symptoms of withdrawal.

1) Agonists (Mimic Neurotransmitters) 2) Antagonists (Bind to receptor sites & block) 3) Block Neurotransmitters’ reuptake

Inhibit brain function & slow body functioning

 2 nd Most Used Drug  Impairs frontal lobe of cerebral cortex  Reduces inhibitions & affects judgment  Less Self-Control & More aggressive  Impairs Cerebellum (Balance & Movement)  Impairs Hippocampus (Can’t encode memories)  Prevents REM Sleep (Hangovers)  Impairs speech  Elevated levels impair Medulla (Breathing)

One 12-ounce can of beer has about the same amount of alcohol as 4 ounces of wine or 1 ounce of whiskey

 Depress actions of central nervous system.  Reduce anxiety & act as sedatives.  Can cause lethal interaction w/ alcohol.  Impairs both memory and judgment.  Used in general anesthesia, Epilepsy (Anticonvulsant), Capital Punishment, & assisted suicide.  Very addicting & withdrawal can cause REM rebound nightmares, hallucinations, disorientation and even life-threatening convulsions.  Largely replaced by Tranquilizers (Fewer side effects)

 Morphine, Codeine, Opium, & HeroinHeroin  Very addictive.  Depress Neural Activity & reduce pain.  Agonists for Endorphins.  Reliance on Opiates reduces natural production of endorphins.

Excite brain activity and all are at least mildly addictive

 Most commonly used drug.  Stimulant found in coffee, chocolate, tea, and some soft drinks  Provides user with a sense of increased energy, mental alertness, and forced wakefulness  Blocks GABA receptor sites that if activated, sedate the central nervous system  Withdrawal symptoms are sleepiness, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, increased heart rate

 Stimulant found in tobacco  Stimulates Autonomic Nervous System  Effects similar to those of caffeine – reduces fatigue & drowsiness and increases mental alertness  Decreases anxiety  Affects various areas in the brain affecting mood, attention & arousal  Very addictive and does not stay in the body very long Nicotine Addiction CNN Video

 Stimulant derived from leaves of the coca plant  Crack – cocaine crystals  Blocks the reuptake of dopamine.  Dependency is quick and severe; places extreme strain on cardiovascular system (Heart problems)  Can cause cocaine psychosis – schizophrenia-like symptoms including auditory hallucinations & paranoia, “cocaine bugs” or tactile hallucinations Crack Smoking Veteran

 Includes: speed, “uppers”, and methamphetamines  Drugs that stimulate neural activity, speeding up body functions, with associated energy and mood changes  Agonist for adrenaline (norepinephrine)  Higher heart rate, reduced appetite, More alert, Aggressiveness  Gets reuptaken with dopamine & causes neurons to then release enormous amounts of dopamine.  Can cause irreversible changes in mood & function  Withdrawal causes fatigue, deep sleep, intense depression, increase in appetite. Faces of Meth AdsMeth Fact Sheet Meth Video

 How does Jessie exploit the symptoms of Meth?

 Part-stimulant & part-hallucinogenic drug that produces lower inhibitions, pleasant feelings, and greater acceptance of others  Blocks serotonin reuptake prolonging its “good” feeling  Even moderate users may experience permanent brain damage to serotonin nerve endings & even memory and verbal reasoning problems up to a year later.  Dehydration, rapid heartbeat, tremors, muscle tension, teeth clenching & high body temp can result.  Doesn’t seem to be physically addictive. Peter Griffin on Ecstasy

Distort Sensory Perceptions.

 Powerful hallucinogenic drug (also causes euphoria)  Also known as “acid”  Not addictive, but tolerance does develop.  The effects vary from person to person  Users can be dangerous to themselves and others.  Similar to neurotransmitter, serotonin.  Causes excessive release of Dopamine: flashbacks, & psychotic reactions can occur. LSD Documentary (3:55) (9:25) LSD Simulator

 Leaves, stems, resin, and flowers form the hemp plant  When smoked, lower inhibitions and produce feelings of relaxation and mild euphoria  THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active ingredient. Receptors in the brain for Anandamide also accept THC  Disrupts memory; lung damage from smoke  Long-term use impairs intellectual functioning.  Withdrawal may cause insomnia, tremors and decreased appetite.  Is helpful in decreasing nausea and reducing effects of glaucoma.  Smoking it can increase chance of developing schizophrenia if genetically disposed to the disorder.