Drug NotesDrug Notes Illegal Drugs  I. Psychoactive Drugs

Four Main Types 1.       Stimulants 2. Depressants 3.       Narcotics 4. Hallucinogen

Stimulants◦  Increase HR, BP - Increase functions of the CNS

Can Cause:◦  Dilated pupils, Decrease appetite, Irritable◦  headaches, blurred vision, sleeping problems

Examples:  cocaine, crack, Bath Salts, methamphetamines, caffeine (most abused)

Faces of MethFaces of Meth

Meth Mouth

Meth Mites

Depressants

-Slow down functioning of the CNS

Can Cause:

- anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue

-Severe withdrawal symptoms

Examples: alcohol, tranquilizers, rohypnol 

•Narcotics - act on the CNS & PNS to slow down body functioning - malnutrition, respiratory problems – interferes w/ breathing, nausea, rapid HR

Examples: opium, heroin, morphine, codeine

Hallucinogen

• Distorts mood, thoughts, and senses

• increase HR, flashbacks, Develop a tolerance, increase, anger & aggression

Examples: Salvia, LSD, PCP, MDMA, Psilocybin (mushrooms)

LSD -

-can’t distinguish between past & present

- increase body temp

-overloads brain

-false belief in superhuman power

-confuses senses (synthesthetic) Hearing colors or numbers, etc.

II. Steroids

What are Anabolic Steroids?

•  synthetic testosterone (man made)

Effects on Males

-low sperm count

-Small testicles

-Increased breast size

-Increase in prostate & testicular cancer

Effects on Females

- Deeper Voice - Irregular Menstrual Cycle

- Facial Hair - Infertility

- Breast Size Decreases - Increase Cervical cancer

Effects on both:

- Acne - Sleeping Problems - Increase BP

- Hair loss - Difficulty Urinating - Stunted Growth

-Roid Rage - Heart Disease/Stroke - Liver problems

-Bad Breath

Steroid Side EffectsSteroid Side Effects

Marijuana

• Cannabis Sativa Plant

- Has it’s own classification – THC (Gives you the high)

•Hashish – dark brown resin at he top of the cannabis plant ( the most THC)

• Places THC is stored in the greatest amounts:

brain, liver & reproductive systems

Short Term Effects of

Marijuana

- amotivational syndrome

- blood shot eyes

- decrease body temp

- Short term memory loss

- dry mouth

- Increase appetite

(Wt. Gain)

Long Term Effects of Marijuana

• heart, lung damage • infertility

• contains 4-5 times the amount of tar • lower sperm count•THC passed to baby •weak immune system

Synthetic Marijuana

Effects:psychotic effects like extreme anxiety, paranoia,

and hallucinations

Poison Control Centers report symptoms that include:- rapid heart rate - Confusion- vomiting and agitation - hallucinations- raise blood pressure- cause reduced blood supply to the heart- in a few cases it has been associated with heart attacks- withdrawal symptoms-Poison Control Centers have seen a 440% increase in in the last 2 years!!

Inhalants –

• chemicals that affect mood and behaviors when inhaled

Short Term Effects

• nausea, vomiting - confusion - nose bleeds

• decrease HR - slurred speech - Gateway drug

Long Term Effects

• Remains in fatty tissue for weeks

• permanent brain & nervous system damage

• decrease smell

• liver, kidney, bone marrow, lung damage

• Paralyzes part of brain responsible for breathing

Most to Least Addictive Drugs in the World: 

1.Nicotine

2.Heroin

3.Cocaine

4.Alcohol

5.Caffeine

6.Marijuana

EcstasyEcstasyWhat is it?

- Synthetic drug with stimulant and hallucinogenic effects- MDMA

Street Names:- XTC - Hug - Adam- X - Beans - Love Drug

What does it do to the body?- Loss of brain tissue- Lack of O2 to the brain- Can’t release seratonin (memory, sleep, mood)

Ecstasy continued…Ecstasy continued…Mental Effects

- Confusion - Sleep problems - Paranoia- Depression - anxiety - Lasts for weeks

Physical Effects- Teeth Clenching - Death (Extreme body temp)- Nausea - Kidney, heart, liver failure- Rapid Eye Movement - Acne like rash- Increase HR, BP - Dehydration- Increase Body Temp - Addictive (Severe depression)

RohypnolRohypnol“The date Rape Drug”“The date Rape Drug”

Slang Terms:- Roophies - Forget Me Pill- Roche

Effects:- Person can’t remember anything- Drowsiness, confusion- Decrease BP, HR- Intestinal problems