INDIVIDUAL DRUG INFO FALL 2013

SIMILAR PROPERTIES ACROSS DRUGS Withdrawal (physical dependence) Psychological dependence Tolerance

Forms Availability DEA Schedule Effects  Acute  Chronic  Overdose Persons Photo, originally taken by Thoric, available to use in the public domainThoric DIFFERENCES

METHAMPHETAMINE

Famous/notorious for laboratory production, short-term dopamine effects & long-term effects Stimulant (blood pressure, heart rate, alertness) DEA: Schedule II substance (Dexoxyn: ADD, narcolepsy, weight control)

METHAMPHETAMINE ACUTE EFFECTS  Intense high/euphoria  May last up to 12 hours (longer than cocaine)  Meth Inside and Out video describing effectseffects  Comparison: meth vs cocaine,Brookhaven National Laboratory, 2008Brookhaven National Laboratory, 2008

METHAMPHETAMINE CHRONIC EFFECTS Chronic users may experience hallucinations, rage, paranoia, heart “meth mouth;” brain cell death; damage to dopamine-, serotonin-containing nerve cellsmeth mouthbrain cell deathdamage to dopamine  Crank Bugs (Meth Project) Crank Bugs (Meth Project)  Meth Mouth (Meth Project) Meth Mouth (Meth Project)  Ashley’s Story (Meth Project) Ashley’s Story  Research supports both brain damage as well as lack of brain damage

LSD

Albert Hoffman: “Last Friday, April 16,1943, I was forced to interrupt my work in the laboratory in the middle of the afternoon and proceed home, being affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours this condition faded away.” LSD

Schedule I hallucinogen synthesized in 1930s Manufacturing secretive: Nick Sand (National Geographic) Manufacturing secretive: Nick Sand LSD famous/notorious for its short-term effects Visual hallucinations (images, color, light) Altered perception of senses “Seeing sounds, hearing colors” Color, size of objects Altered perception of time, depth Potential anxiety/panic Experiences can vary widely Serotonin receptors may be excited or inhibited LSD experimentation on British soldiers (YouTube.com) LSD experimentation

LSD Chronic effects may involve flashbacks  Sudden onset of abnormal perceptions  Persistent flashbacks known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder

CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE Carl HartCarl Hart, Columbia University (YouTube)

2C-I 4-IODO-2,5-DIMETHOXYPHENETHYLAMINE

“Smiles” Synthetic substance Usually inhaled or taken orally; may also be taken via blotter paper Stimulant & hallucinogenic properties Schedule I 2C-I

Impacts dopamine & serotonin Onset of effects may not be immediate, triggering overdose Little information on brain impact Additives, chemical changes make drug unpredictable, similar to bath salts 2C-I

MDMA 3,4-METHYLENEDIOXY-N-METHYLAMPHETAMINE

Molly, Ecstasy, Thizz Synthetic drug Stimulant and hallucinogenic properties MDMA

Acute effects on the brain  Increased serotonin release  Increased dopamine release  Increased norepinephrine release  Effects will vary since formula is not standardized or regulated  Effects will vary based on the synthetic nature of substance  MDMA-assisted therapy (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, video; 0-2:00; 14 subjects, per website) MDMA-assisted therapy

MDMA  Chronic effects are controversial, per Carl Hart  Well-circulated animal studies showing neuron damage

SYNTHETICS ARE CURRENTLY POPULAR 2C-I, MDMA, bath salts, synthetic cannabis Lower price (think about economy’s influence) Drug popularity changes with time (synthetics were popular in 1970s) Health-related issues will subsequently ebb and flow as drugs move in and out of favor That acknowledged, some can be devastating: Krokodil (CBS, 2013)Krokodil

CANNABIS

Cannabis sativa  Different subspecies/varietals used for clothing vs drug use Active ingredient: THC DEA: Schedule I Despite state regulations, marijuana still federally illegal CANNABIS

CANNABIS (SOURCE: PROCON.ORG)PROCON.ORG) Alaska (98)Montana (04) Arizona (10)Nevada (00) California (96)New Hampshire (13) Colorado (00)New Jersey (10) Connecticut (12)New Mexico (07) Delaware (11)Oregon (98) Hawaii (00)Rhode Island (06) Illinois (13)Vermont (04) Maine (99)Washington (98) Michigan (08)Washington, DC (10)

CANNABIS THS acts on cannabinoid receptors, increases dopamine, serotonin Increases appetite ASAP Science: Your Brain on Marijuana (via YouTube)Your Brain on Marijuana Chronic effects: respiratory distress, mood swings, memory & other cognitive factors may be affected (potential hippocampus damage) Overdose generally doesn’t occur  Large amount required  Smoking a lot may induce sleepiness  Eating too much may trigger nausea, vomiting  Q13 News story, Michiganstory Mixing any chemical substances can potentially cause a problem

MUSHROOMS

Psilocybin/psilocin are two active psychoactive substances found in “magic mushrooms” Couple dozen species Taken orally Recognized for centuries Probably used in religious rites Hallucinogen Schedule I MUSHROOMS

Acute effects:  Relaxation  Altered perception of reality  Altered perception of time  Sense of connection to others/universe  Visual hallucinations (images, color, light)  Potential for anxiety and subsequent panic, heart rate & blood pressure increase Chronic effects:  A “bad trip” may trigger fear  Hallucinogens may exacerbate mental illness Being investigated as treatment for OCD, depression, smoking cessation  Johns Hopkins Psilocybin Cancer Project (via YouTube, 0:30-4:03) Johns Hopkins Psilocybin Cancer Project