Module 8 States of Consciousness Psychoactive Drugs mind

Module 8 States of Consciousness

Psychoactive Drugs • mind altering chemicals • they change how you perceive and feel • psychological effects depend on dosage, form taken, expectations, personality of user & situation

Drug Tolerance Drug effect Response to first exposure • Tolerance After repeated exposure, more drug is needed to produce same effect Drug dose – Decrease in effect of a drug with repeated use…

Drug Dependence • Psychological Dependence – a psychological need to use a drug • Physical Dependence – discomfort and distress that follow discontinued use of an addictive drug • Addiction – Compulsive drug seeking behavior – Control over drug use is lost

• 4 common Classes of Psychoactive Drugs – stimulants – hallucinogens – depressants – opiates

Stimulants • Stimulants (“uppers”) – drugs that stimulate neural activity, cause accelerated body functions along w/ elevated energy and mood changes, increased alertness, and decreased appetite… • caffeine • nicotine • amphetamines (speed) • cocaine

– psychedelic (mind-altering) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input (illusogens) • • LSD Marijuana Ecstasy Bufotenin (toad licking) Mescaline (peyote) PCP (angel dust) Ketamine (Special K) Ololuiqui (morning glory seeds)

Hallucinogens: THC (marijuana) THC • the major active ingredient in marijuana • mild hallucinogen • amplifies sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes, smells

THC (marijuana) • can be therapeutic • if suffering pain and nausea • severe weight loss • eye pressure • marijuana can relieve symptoms • marijuana legalized for those purposes in some states • California & Arizona, ’ 96

Opiates • Drugs that work as analgesics Morphine • euphorogenics Heroin

Depressants • Central Nervous System Depressants-reduce neural activity and slow body functions (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates)

Depressants • At higher doses, depressants lead to – relief from anxiety – disinhibition – general anesthesia – increased drowsiness – lethargy – amnesia §seizures (inhibits seizures) §hypnotic effects §sedation §hypnosis §coma §death

Rophies Roofenol Ruffies Roofies R 2 Roachies • Date rape drugs – Rohypnol – Flunitrazepam ROOFIES; sedative causing muscle relaxation and amnesia Keep an Eye on that Drink! Rope Rib La Roche

…Mild to Severe Effects of Stimulants mild to moderate…… …. severe mood amplification (better mood)……………. > heightened energy………. . . irritability, hostility, anxiety, fear, withdrawal extreme energy or exhaustion Increased wakefulness…………> total insomnia motor excitement or restlessness…………………> compulsive motor stereotypies (weird movements/ticks) talkativeness………………. > rambling incoherent speech increased sexual interest…. . . > decreased sexual interest anger, verbal aggression…. . > possible extreme violence mild to moderate anorexia…> total anorexia increased self-esteem………> delusion of grandiosity From Keith Trujillo lecture notes, neuropsychopharmacology course