The Effects of drugs and hormones on perception

 Street Names: Brown, H, junk, skag, dope, smack, horse  Efffects on the mind, consciousness and perception: Heroin is known as a ”scheduale 1 drug”, meaning it is one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs in this category. Snorting, shooting up, and smoking are some of the ways heroin can be used. ”There is no safe way to use heroin. Regardless of how it is used, it enters the brain rapidly and slows down the brains ability to function properly. It slows down your thinking, your reactions and greatly affects the way one acts and makes decisions. Heroin how it effects your brain most simply stated, is that it is such a highly addictive opiate. “ (Residential treatment & drug rehabilitation centers)  Effects on body: Risks of using heroin include, body infections such as hepatitis B & C, HIV and multiple other diseases and infections due to the sharing of raunchy unclean needles.  Heart, blood and circulation – “Heroin slows down your circulation and heart rate. Heroin also increases the size of certain blood vessels (making you feel warm).  Stomach – It depresses bowel activity, which can result in constipation. Heroin can make you feel sick, and first-time users often vomit.  Lungs – Heroin suppresses your cough reflex and slows down your breathing, causing hyperventilation. This can put you at risk of lung disease. An overdose of heroin can cause respiratory failure and death.  Nervous system – At higher doses, sedation takes over and you become drowsy. An excessive dose can produce stupor and coma, and possible death.  Sexual organs – Heroin can cause irregular periods in women. In both men and women, it can make you lose interest in sex, and it affects your sexual performance.” (What is Heroin) 

 Street names: Roids, juice, pumpers, anabolic  Effects on the mind, consciousness, and perception: Anabolic steroids are being used to help improve athletic ability, self image, and for performance. There are both very severe short term effects and long term effects. Short Term Effects:  Severe Acne  Shrunken Testicles  Gynecomastia (man-boobs)  High Blood Pressure  High Cholesterol  Liver Malfunction  Enlarged Prostate  Balding Long Term Effects:  HIV  Liver Failure  Cardiovascular problems  Ligament and Joint Injury  Weight Problems  Neurological Issues  (Side effects of Anabolic Steroid abuse)

 Street Names: Weed, Dope, Mary Jane, Chronic, Bud  Effects on the Mind, Consciousness and Perception: Getting a high from Marijuana usually lasts up to two – three hours, depending on the person and how much consumed. The most known effect is “intensification of sensation and increased clarity of perception.” Colors, scenes and depths are more sensitive. The sounds around you become more distinct. Taste and smell are also enhanced. Food and spices become very desirable, commonly known as “the munchies”. Skin is effected as well. Under the influence of Marijuana your skin becomes sensitive to the cold, heat and pressure. It is known to take away any type of pain. Though Marijuana may not have any effect on your body at all.

 Side Effects on Body: Marijuana has a long lasting negative impact on growth of your brain. It is hazardous to the development of your lungs. Marijuana smoke contains 50%- 70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons then tobacco smoke.  n

 Street Names: Blow, Bump, C, Candy, Charlie, Coke, Snow  Effects on the Mind, Consciousness and Perception: Cocaine is highly addictive. Scabs start to form on your mucus membrane. It damages the Nasal Septume (making your nose eventually collapse). Smoking Cocaine/Crack lets the drug reach your brain more quickly, and the risk of addiction seems to be higher. The faster the drug reaches the brain, the more easier it is to become addictive to it. Cocaine makes you aggressive, paranoid and anxious. Using it long term, causes serious damage on heart and brain. Leaving you depressed, agitated and manic. Cocaine related deaths are often caused by cardiac arrest and seizures, followed by respiratory failure (stop breathing). 

 Michaelouse.com/marijuana.addiction  The Altered States of Consciousness; by Charles T. Tart, Doubleday & co., 1972, Chapter 22  Druglibrary.org  Steroidabuse.com (Side effects of Anabolic Steroid abuse)  Counselingseattle.com/marijuana  Abovetheinflunce.com