1 Drugs and Consciousness Module 17

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3 States of Consciousness Overview Drugs and Consciousness  Dependence and Addiction  Psychoactive Drugs  Influences on Drug Use

4 Dependence & Addiction Continued use of a psychoactive drug produces tolerance. With repeated exposure to a drug, the drug’s effect lessens. Thus it takes greater quantities to get the desired effect.

5 Withdrawal & Dependence 1.Withdrawal: Upon stopping use of a drug users may experience undesirable side effects. 2.Dependence: Absence of a drug may lead to a feeling of physical pain, intense cravings (physical dependence), and negative emotions (psychological dependence).

6 Misconceptions About Addiction 1.Addictive drugs quickly corrupt. 2.Addiction cannot be overcome voluntarily. 3.Addiction is no different than repetitive pleasure-seeking behaviors. Addiction is a craving for a chemical substance, despite its adverse physical & psychological consequences.

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8 Drugs and Consciousness Psychoactive Drug: A chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood (affects consciousness). LinkLink Psychedelic Science 47:50

9 Psychoactive Drugs Psychoactive drugs are divided into three groups. 1.Depressants 2.Stimulants 3.Hallucinogens

10 Depressants Depressants are drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions. They include: 1.Alcohol 2.Barbiturates 3.Opiates

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12 Depressants 1.Alcohol affects motor skills, judgment, and memory…and increases aggressiveness while reducing self awareness. Daniel Hommer, NIAAA, NIH, HHS

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17 Depressants 2.Barbiturates: Drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment. Nembutal, Seconal, and Amytal are some examples.

18 Depressants 3. Opiates: Opium and its derivatives (morphine and heroin) depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety. They are highly addictive. Heroin Crisis at Nat Geo 45:46 Heroin Crisis at Nat Geo 45:46

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20 Stimulants Stimulants are drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions. Examples of stimulants are: 1.Caffeine 2.Nicotine 3.Cocaine 4.Ecstasy 5.Amphetamines 6.Methamphetamine (speed/crack)

21 Caffeine & Nicotine Caffeine and nicotine increase heart and breathing rates and other autonomic functions to provide energy. Link 2yo smoker Link

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24 Why Do People Smoke?  People smoke because it is socially rewarding. Russel Einhorn/ The Gamma Liason Network LinkLink We love Cigarettes 49:17

25 Why Do People Smoke?  Nicotine takes away unpleasant cravings (negative reinforcement) by triggering epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and endorphins.  Nicotine itself is rewarding (positive reinforcement).

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27 Cocaine Cocaine induces immediate euphoria followed by a crash.

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31 Ecstasy Ecstasy or Methylenedioxymethamph etamine (MDMA) is a stimulant and mild hallucinogen. It produces a euphoric high and can damage serotonin-producing neurons, which results in a permanent deflation of mood and impairment of memory. (Croft 2001) Greg Smith/ AP Photos

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34 Methamphetamine Methamphetamine increases the release, and blocks the reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine, leading to high levels of dopamine in the brain.

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37 LinkLink Drug toxicity 6:06

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40 Hallucinogens Hallucinogens are psychedelic (mind- manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input. Housewife on Acid on CNNHousewife on Acid on CNN 5:01 Another person on AcidAnother person on Acid 8:46 Leary and kids who dropped acid…creepyLeary and kids who dropped acid…creepy 1:14

41 Sacks on Hallucinations Link short 1.17Link ur_minds.htmlhttp:// ur_minds.html

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44 Hallucinogens 1.LSD: (lysergic acid diethylamide) powerful hallucinogenic drug that is also known as acid. Inside LSD 45:24 Inside LSD 2.THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol): is the major active ingredient in marijuana that triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations. Marijuana at National Geographic 45:11 Marijuana at National Geographic

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49 After a close brush with death, many people report an experience of moving through a dark tunnel with a light at the end. Under the influence of hallucinogens, others report bright lights at the center of their field of vision. Near-Death Experiences (From “Hallucinations” by R.K. Siegel. Copyright © 1977 Scientific American, Inc. All rights reserved.)

50 Influences on Drug Use

51 Marijuana Use The use of marijuana in teenagers is directly related to the “perceived risk” involved with the drug.

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54 Influences on Drug Use The use of drugs is based on biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences.

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