1. Drugs
Module 22

2. What are psychoactive drugs?
chemical substances that alter perceptions, mood, or behavior
altered state of consciousness
3 most common:
caffeine
alcohol
nicotine

3. What is dependence? When does dependence become addiction?
physiological and/or psychological need for a drug
withdrawal follows if the drug is discontinued
When does dependence become addiction?
when the drug seriously disrupts a person’s ability to function in everyday life

4. Withdrawal
discomfort & distress that follow when a person who is dependent on a drug discontinues use
symptoms are usually the reverse of the drug’s effects
example: heroin
intended effect – euphoria, relaxation, slowed breathing
withdrawal – depression, restlessness, rapid breathing

5. Tolerance reduced responsiveness to a drug
user must increase dosage to achieve effects previously obtained by lower doses of the drug

6. Drugs and Neurotransmission How do psychoactive drugs work?

7. Neurotransmission process where neurons communicate with each other
psychoactive drugs interfere with normal neurotransmission

8. 3 ways drugs affect neurotransmission:
Binding with receptors
mimicking neurotransmitter’s effect
example: morphine mimics endorphins
Blocking receptor site
preventing neurotransmitter’s binding
example: Botulin poisoning (paralyzes)
Blocking reuptake
intensifies neurotransmitter’s effect
example: cocaine blocks reuptake
of dopamine (affects mood) increasing
the amount in the synapses

9. Drug Classifications

10. Marijuana Description: Impact on Neurotransmission:
derived from hemp plant
lowers inhibitions & produces feelings of relaxation and mild euphoria
Impact on Neurotransmission:
Active ingredient: THC
(delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
binds to cannabinoid receptor sites for neurotransmitter anandamide (pain relief, working memory, pleasure, eating, motivation)
binds to receptor sites for dopamine (pleasure/euphoria) & triggers their release

11. Leaves, stems, resin, and flowers form the hemp plant
Marijuana
Physical & Psychological Impact:
lowers inhibitions & produces feelings of relaxation and mild euphoria
Health Concerns:
9% of users become addicted
withdrawal symptoms: irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, & drug craving
disrupts short-term memory (activity in hippocampus is reduced)
interferes with normal functioning of the cerebellum (short-term)
lung damage from smoke
Leaves, stems, resin, and flowers form the hemp plant

12. Medical Marijuana (currently legal in 16 states & D.C.)

13. Hallucinogens Description: Impact on Neurotransmission:
distort perceptions & cause sensory images in the absence of sensory input
Impact on Neurotransmission:
LSD (fungus that grows on grain)- stimulation of serotonin (mood, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, and muscle control) receptors on neurons
Ecstasy (MDMA)– blocks the reuptake of serotonin (mood/pleasure) intensifying its effect; brain is depleted of its serotonin supply & depression is a common after-effect

14. Hallucinogens Physical & Psychological Impact: Health Concerns:
LSD – visual hallucinations, detachment from reality, panic, sense of heightened understanding
Ecstasy – hallucinations, rushes of exhilaration (stimulant), physical sensitivity, lowers inhibitions, euphoria, paranoia
Health Concerns:
LSD – tolerance develops rapidly, rapid heartbeat & high blood pressure, “bad trips” – paranoia, panic, delusions, dangerous behavior
Ecstasy – damaged neurons w/ dumped serotonin, dehydration & heat exhaustion (club drug), increased body temp & blood pressure, nausea, blurred, vision, teeth/jaw clenching, depression/suicide

15. Stimulants Description: Impact on Neurotransmission:
excite neural activity of CNS & speeds up body functions
Impact on Neurotransmission:
Caffeine – mimics adenosine (causes drowsiness) & blocks receptor sites
Nicotine – mimics acetylcholine (learning, memory, muscle movement, energy) & binds to receptor sites; body must create more receptor sites; endorphin (pain killers) production
Cocaine – blocks reuptake of dopamine (pleasure/emotion)
Amphetamines (prescription stimulants, ADHD) - mimics adrenaline (forces release of stored adrenaline); increases dopamine (pleasure/ motivation/ attention) – also with Methamphetamines (over time destroys dopamine receptors – can’t feel pleasure, can regrow over years); release adrenaline
Coca plant

16. Stimulants Physical & Psychological Impact:
All – increase blood pressure & heart rate, faster respiration
Caffeine – increases energy/alertness, reduces fine motor coordination
Nicotine – arousal, relaxation, sense of well being
Cocaine – euphoria, energy, increases body temperature
Amphetamines – euphoria, suppress appetite, increase focus & attention
Health Concerns:
Caffeine – insomnia, nervousness, headaches, dizziness, lethal in massive doses (abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, breathing in vomit)
Nicotine – death - heart/lung disease, stroke
Cocaine - heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, abdominal pain, nausea; sudden death on first use (rare)
Amphetamines – malnutrition, in high doses cardiovascular complications ( heart attack & stroke), amphetamine psychosis
Methamphetamines – stroke, dementia, reduced motor speed, impaired cognitive abilities, increased sex drive, lower inhibitions

17. Caffeine & the Body

18. Depressants Description: Impact on Neurotransmission:
reduce neural activity & slow body functioning
Impact on Neurotransmission:
Alcohol – binds to receptors for acetylcholine, serotonin, GABA (reduces neural activity), increases release of dopamine
Sedatives (tranquilizers)
Barbiturates & Benzodiazepines – binds to GABA receptors

19. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Depressants
Physical & Psychological Impact:
Alcohol – relaxation, reduced tension, lowered inhibitions, impairs concentration, slows reflexes
Sedatives – reduce anxiety or induce sleep
Health Concerns:
Alcohol – vomiting, breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, coma, impairs memory (suppresses REM sleep) damage to frontal lobes, kidney failure, vitamin B-1 deficiency, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (alcohol use when pregnant)
Sedatives:
Barbiturates – lethal in overdose, impair memory & judgment
Benzodiazepines – dependency
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

20. Opiates Description: Impact on Neurotransmission:
depress neural activity & temporarily lessen pain and anxiety
Impact on Neurotransmission:
Morphine (derived from poppy plant) & Heroin (made from morphine) – mimic endorphins and binds to opioid receptors (pain, reward, critical life functions like breathing)

21. Opiates Physical & Psychological Impact: Health Concerns:
Heroin & Morphine – rush of euphoria, relief from pain, clouded mental functioning
Health Concerns:
Heroin – overdose – stop breathing, use of needles (HIV/AIDS), liver or kidney failure
Morphine – dependence leading to addiction, cessation of breathing, nausea, vomiting, constipation

22. Drug Quick Write Without using your notes:
Choose one specific psychoactive drug from the five major drug categories we have studied. Explain how that drug affects neurotransmission and behaviors.

23. Drug Neurotransmission Review
Impact on Neurotransmission
Marijuana
LSD & Ecstasy
Caffeine
Nicotine
Cocaine
Amphetamines & Methamphetamines
Alcohol
Barbiturates & Benzodiazepines
Morphine & Heroin
anandamide & dopamine
serotonin
adenosine
acetylcholine
dopamine
adrenaline
acetylcholine, serotonin, GABA
GABA
endorphins

24. Drug Classifications Marijuana Description
Lowers inhibitions & produces feelings of relaxation & euphoria
LSD
Ecstasy
Distorts perceptions & causes sensory images in the absence of sensory input
Caffeine
Nicotine
Cocaine
Amphetamines
Meth
Excites neural activity of the CNS and speeds up body functions
Alcohol
Sedatives (Barbiturates & Benzodiazepines)
Reduces neural activity of the CNS & slows body functioning
Morphine
Heroin
Depress neural activity & temporarily lessens pain & anxiety
Marijuana
Hallucinogen
Stimulants
Depressants
Opiates