Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Module 16Drugs and Consciousness

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Dependence and Addiction

• Misconceptions About Addiction

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Drug Tolerance

Psychoactive Drugs

• Interact with the CNS

• Alter mood, perception, and behavior

• From caffeine to heroin

• About six (or three) different families of drugs.

• Each has its own effect on the CNS and members of it will have varying degrees.

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Psychoactive Drugs• Depressants

– Alcohol– Barbiturates– Opiates

• Stimulants– Nicotine– Cocaine

• Hallucinogens– LSD– Marijuana

Depressants

• Most commonly used in society: alcohol.

• Sedating effect on the CNS

• Used for those under stress, especially valium.

• http://www.pbs.org/wnet/closetohome/animation/gaba-anim-main.html

Length of euphoric effect

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Stimulants

• Caffeine is the most commonly used in this category.

• Amphetamines

• Cocaine and rock cocaine.

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Cocaine Euphoria and Crash

Opiates

• Analgesics (pain killers)

• Codeine (Tylenol 3 and up, cough syrup in some countries)

Psychedelics (Hallucinogens)

• Creative thinking.

• Overwhelming feelings.

• Hallucinations.

• peyote, psilocybin as in the movie Altered States.

• LSD

Antidepressants

• Monoamine oxidase

• Lithium used to treat bipolar disorder.

• Typically not used extensively other than as treating mental illness or diseases related to the brain, Parkinson’s.

Inhalants

• Low level: sniffing gas.

• Nitrous oxide: hypoxia is a danger (lack of oxygen)

• Nitrites: amyl nitrite (poppers, heart medication) butyl nitrite (Locker Room).

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Class Assignment

• See handout

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Influences on Drug Use

• Biological Influences

• Psychological and Cultural Influences

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Trends in Drug Use

Exploring in Modules, Module 16

Perceived Marijuana Risk and Actual Use