Drugs and Consciousness

Understanding different types of drugs, how they alter consciousness, and

lead to addiction.

Psychoactive Drugs

• Chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods.

• Psychoactive drug use leads to a buildup in tolerance, as well as physical and psychological dependencies.

• Not all psychoactive drugs are illegal. Like…

Some misconceptions about addiction

• Addictive drugs quickly corrupt everyone.

• Addictions require therapy to overcome.

• You can become addicted to any pleasure seeking behavior.

• Use a drug (caffeine, to stay awake) → Tolerance (no longer have same effects from 1 cup of coffee) → drug abuse (drinking 3 Red Bulls before noon) → dependence (cannot stay awake without the Red Bulls) = ADDICTION

Withdrawal

• A substance specific disorder when an addict stops using a substance

• Can cause mood swings, physical pain

• Intensity depends on the person and the substance

Chemically - how do drugs affect us?

How drugs “get in”

• Drugs interact with the brain (and “get in”) in 3 ways: 1. imitating neurotransmitters and preventing them from

working normally. “Fools brain” into thinking it’s real» example: heroin and marijuana

2. telling brain to constantly release a neurotransmitter – usually dopamine » example: cocaine and meth

How drugs “get in” (cont’d)

• 3rd way – blocks neurotransmitter from connecting to a neuron– Example: curare, botulin causes

paralysis by blocking ACH

The normal neural exchange

Drugs and neurons

4 Classifications of Drugs

1. Depressants

2. Stimulants

3. Hallucinogens

4. Opiates

Depressants

• Calm neural activity and slow body functions.

• Alcohol, barbituates, opiates

Stimulants

• Speeds up heart beat, breathing, etc. Reduces fatigue temporarily.

• Elevates mood• Caffeine,

Amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine, nicotine.

Crystal Meth

• Excess of dopamine = feelings of euphoria

• Chemicals used in making it eat at bone tissue (including teeth), and destroy neurons in the frontal cortex

Meth Mouth

Hallucinogens

• Distort perceptions and provide false sensory images = hallucinations.

• LSD, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms

Opiates

• Relieve pain and produce feelings of euphoria

• Include opium, morphine, codeine, heroine, methadone

• Come from poppy seed• If abused produces most serious

withdrawal symptoms

Heroin addiction

Heroin Addiction

• MOST difficult withdrawal • Body organs will shut down• Addicts need to be in detox – use

methadone