INDIV

IDUAL D

RUG INFO

FALL

2013

SIMILAR PROPERTIES ACROSS DRUGS

Withdrawal (physical dependence)

Psychological dependenceTolerance

FormsAvailabilityDEA ScheduleEffectsAcuteChronicOverdosePersons

Photo, originally taken by Thoric, available to use in the public domain

DIFFERENCES

METHAMPH

ETAMIN

E

METHAMPHETAMINE

Famous/notorious for laboratory production, short-term dopamine effects & long-term effects

Stimulant (blood pressure, heart rate, alertness)

DEA: Schedule II substance (Dexoxyn: ADD, narcolepsy, weight control)

METHAMPHETAMINE ACUTE EFFECTS

Intense high/euphoria May last up to 12 hours (longer than cocaine) Meth Inside and Out video describing effects

Comparison: meth vs cocaine,Brookhaven National Laboratory, 2008

METHAMPHETAMINE CHRONIC EFFECTS

Chronic users may experience hallucinations, rage, paranoia, heart “meth mouth;” brain cell death; damage to dopamine-, serotonin-containing nerve cells

Crank Bugs (Meth Project) Meth Mouth (Meth Project) Ashley’s Story (Meth Project) Research supports both brain damage as well as lack of brain

damage

LSD

• Albert Hoffman: “Last Friday, April 16,1943, I was forced to interrupt my work in the laboratory in the middle of the afternoon and proceed home, being affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours this condition faded away.”

LSD

LSD

• Schedule I hallucinogen synthesized in 1930s• Manufacturing secretive: Nick Sand (National

Geographic)• LSD famous/notorious for its short-term effects• Visual hallucinations (images, color, light)• Altered perception of senses• “Seeing sounds, hearing colors”• Color, size of objects

• Altered perception of time, depth• Potential anxiety/panic• Experiences can vary widely• Serotonin receptors may be excited or inhibited• LSD experimentation on British soldiers (YouTube.com)

LSD

Chronic effects may involve flashbacks Sudden onset of abnormal perceptions Persistent flashbacks known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception

Disorder

CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE

Carl Hart, Columbia University (YouTube)

2C-I

4-IODO-2

,5-D

IMET

HOXYPHENET

HYLAM

INE

• “Smiles”• Synthetic

substance• Usually inhaled

or taken orally; may also be taken via blotter paper

• Stimulant & hallucinogenic properties

• Schedule I

2C-I

• Impacts dopamine & serotonin

• Onset of effects may not be immediate, triggering overdose

• Little information on brain impact

• Additives, chemical changes make drug unpredictable, similar to bath salts

2C-I

MDMA

3,4-M

ETHYL

ENEDIOXY-N

-METH

YLAMPH

ETAMIN

E

• Molly, Ecstasy, Thizz

• Synthetic drug

• Stimulant and hallucinogenic properties

MDMA

MDMA

Acute effects on the brain Increased serotonin release Increased dopamine release Increased norepinephrine release Effects will vary since formula is not standardized or

regulated Effects will vary based on the synthetic nature of

substance MDMA-assisted therapy (Multidisciplinary Association

for Psychedelic Studies, video; 0-2:00; 14 subjects, per website)

MDMA

Chronic effects are controversial, per Carl Hart Well-circulated animal studies showing neuron

damage

SYNTHETICS ARE CURRENTLY POPULAR

2C-I, MDMA, bath salts, synthetic cannabis

Lower price (think about economy’s influence)

Drug popularity changes with time (synthetics were popular in 1970s)

Health-related issues will subsequently ebb and flow as drugs move in and out of favor

That acknowledged, some can be devastating: Krokodil (CBS, 2013)

CANNABIS

Cannabis sativa Different

subspecies/varietals used for clothing vs drug use

Active ingredient: THC

DEA: Schedule I

Despite state regulations, marijuana still federally illegal

CANNABIS

CANNABIS (SOURCE: PROCON.ORG)

Alaska (98) Montana (04)

Arizona (10) Nevada (00)

California (96) New Hampshire (13)

Colorado (00) New Jersey (10)

Connecticut (12) New Mexico (07)

Delaware (11) Oregon (98)

Hawaii (00) Rhode Island (06)

Illinois (13) Vermont (04)

Maine (99) Washington (98)

Michigan (08) Washington, DC (10)

CANNABIS

THS acts on cannabinoid receptors, increases dopamine, serotonin

Increases appetiteASAP Science: Your Brain on Marijuana (via YouTube)Chronic effects: respiratory distress, mood swings,

memory & other cognitive factors may be affected (potential hippocampus damage)

Overdose generally doesn’t occur Large amount required Smoking a lot may induce sleepiness Eating too much may trigger nausea, vomiting Q13 News story, Michigan Mixing any chemical substances can potentially cause a

problem

MUSHROOMS

Psilocybin/psilocin are two active psychoactive substances found in “magic mushrooms”

Couple dozen speciesTaken orallyRecognized for centuriesProbably used in religious ritesHallucinogenSchedule I

MUSHROOMS

MUSHROOMS

Acute effects: Relaxation Altered perception of reality Altered perception of time Sense of connection to others/universe Visual hallucinations (images, color, light) Potential for anxiety and subsequent panic, heart rate & blood pressure

increase

Chronic effects: A “bad trip” may trigger fear Hallucinogens may exacerbate mental illness

Being investigated as treatment for OCD, depression, smoking cessation

Johns Hopkins Psilocybin Cancer Project (via YouTube, 0:30-4:03)