CHAPTER 7CHAPTER 7

Drugs and Altered States Drugs and Altered States of Consciousnessof Consciousness

Types of Psychoactive Types of Psychoactive DrugsDrugs

Activity – From the given cases, try Activity – From the given cases, try to predict what drug is being to predict what drug is being described. described.

1. Marijuana1. Marijuana 5. Aspirin5. Aspirin 2. Alcohol2. Alcohol 6. Nicotine6. Nicotine 3. Cocaine3. Cocaine 7. LSD (acid)7. LSD (acid) 4. Heroine 4. Heroine 8. Caffeine8. Caffeine

Psychoactive DrugsPsychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive DrugsPsychoactive Drugs – chemical – chemical substances that alter perceptions and substances that alter perceptions and moodmood

ToleranceTolerance – physiological change that – physiological change that produces a need for more of the same produces a need for more of the same drug in order to achieve the same effectdrug in order to achieve the same effect– Ex. It will take several alcoholic Ex. It will take several alcoholic

beverages for an alcoholic to beverages for an alcoholic to experience the effects. experience the effects.

Physiological vs. Psychological Physiological vs. Psychological DependenceDependence

WithdrawalWithdrawal – discomfort and distress that – discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing drug usefollow discontinuing drug use

PhysiologicalPhysiological – physical need for a drug, – physical need for a drug, without the drug one may have withdrawal without the drug one may have withdrawal symptoms (Ex. pain)symptoms (Ex. pain)

PsychologicalPsychological – intense desire for the – intense desire for the drug because they are convinced they drug because they are convinced they need it in order to perform or feel a certain need it in order to perform or feel a certain way. way.

Types of Psychoactive Types of Psychoactive DrugsDrugs

DepressantsDepressants – slows down central – slows down central nervous system / calm neural activitynervous system / calm neural activity– ExamplesExamples

AlcoholAlcohol Barbiturates (tranquilizers/ pain killers)Barbiturates (tranquilizers/ pain killers) Opiates (morphine, heroin)Opiates (morphine, heroin)

– Effects of drug use: slows down reaction Effects of drug use: slows down reaction time and judgment, slurs speech, time and judgment, slurs speech,

DepressantsDepressants - Alcohol - Alcohol– Effects of Alcohol UseEffects of Alcohol Use

Disrupts the processing of Disrupts the processing of memoriesmemories

Reduces self awarenessReduces self awareness Could shrink the brain (pg. 299) Could shrink the brain (pg. 299) Girls can become addicted quicker Girls can become addicted quicker

than boysthan boys

– A user’s expectations can A user’s expectations can affect their behavioraffect their behavior Many who Many who believebelieve they have they have

consumed alcohol will act consumed alcohol will act accordinglyaccordingly

DepressantsDepressants - Barbiturates - Barbiturates

Barbiturates – aka tranquilizersBarbiturates – aka tranquilizers May be prescribed to reduce anxiety May be prescribed to reduce anxiety

or to help you sleepor to help you sleep Very dangerous if taken with alcoholVery dangerous if taken with alcohol In large doses, barbiturates are In large doses, barbiturates are

lethal. lethal.

DepressantsDepressants - Opiates - Opiates Examples – opium, morphine, Examples – opium, morphine,

heroin heroin Very addictive, Quickly develop Very addictive, Quickly develop

a tolerance and thus have the a tolerance and thus have the need for a larger dose. need for a larger dose.

Withdrawal is painful (when Withdrawal is painful (when taking opiates brain stops taking opiates brain stops producing its natural opiate producing its natural opiate (endorphins) and then when (endorphins) and then when one stops taking the drug pain one stops taking the drug pain is a result) is a result)

Types of Psychoactive Types of Psychoactive Drugs Drugs

StimulantsStimulants – speed up central nervous – speed up central nervous system / excite neural activitysystem / excite neural activity– ExamplesExamples

CaffeineCaffeine CocaineCocaine AmphetaminesAmphetamines NicotineNicotine Ecstasy Ecstasy

– Effects of drug use: disturbed sleep, reduced Effects of drug use: disturbed sleep, reduced appetite, anxiety, heart problems, irritability, appetite, anxiety, heart problems, irritability, depression depression

Stimulants – Cocaine Stimulants – Cocaine 5% of US High School Seniors report 5% of US High School Seniors report

having tried cocaine during the past having tried cocaine during the past year. (CMS drug survey and 28105, year. (CMS drug survey and 28105, upper class drugs, upper vs. lower upper class drugs, upper vs. lower classes, drugs and race. classes, drugs and race.

““Crack” – a potent form a cocaine Crack” – a potent form a cocaine that is smokedthat is smoked

A rush of euphoria lasts for 15-30 A rush of euphoria lasts for 15-30 minutes and the rush depletes the minutes and the rush depletes the brain’s neurotransmitters brain’s neurotransmitters

When the drugs effects wear off, When the drugs effects wear off, the user is agitated and depressed. the user is agitated and depressed.

Stimulants – Ecstasy Stimulants – Ecstasy

Both a stimulant and a mild Both a stimulant and a mild hallucinogen hallucinogen

Triggers the release of dopamine and Triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin serotonin

Effects – dehydration, increased Effects – dehydration, increased blood pressure, could lead to long blood pressure, could lead to long term depression, could cause death term depression, could cause death

Types of Psychoactive Types of Psychoactive DrugsDrugs

HallucinogensHallucinogens – drugs that change – drugs that change the perception of reality and evoke the perception of reality and evoke images in the absence of sensory images in the absence of sensory input. input. – ExamplesExamples

LSDLSD Marijuana (active ingredient is THC)Marijuana (active ingredient is THC) MushroomsMushrooms

– Stays in the body for a month or moreStays in the body for a month or more– Effects of drug use: affects memory, Effects of drug use: affects memory,

emotions varyemotions vary

Hallucinogens – Hallucinogens – Marijuana Marijuana

Leaves and flowers from the Leaves and flowers from the hemp planthemp plant

THC is the active ingredient THC is the active ingredient User experiences an increase User experiences an increase

sensitivity to colors, sounds, sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes, smellstastes, smells

The more marijuana is used, the The more marijuana is used, the user is at a higher risk for anxiety, user is at a higher risk for anxiety, depression, and even depression, and even schizophreniaschizophrenia

THC lingers in the body for a THC lingers in the body for a month or more after use month or more after use