Drugs and Consciousness

Drugs and Consciousness

What is a “drug”? Broadly speaking, a drug is any substance

that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function.

There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and recreational usage

We will view the term drug through three different perspectives: medical utility, illegality, psychoactivity

Defining the term “Drug” According to the Medical Utility model, a

drug is defined as a substance that is used to treat or heal the body or mind

Here, drugs are used to return the user to a state of normalcy, removing that which is pathological, abnormal or unnatural

Examples: Penicillin, Aleve, Benadryl

Defining the term “Drug” A psychoactive drug is any substance

that has an effect on the mind

Cocaine Alcohol Vicodin Marijuana

Defining the term “Drug” In defining a drug based on the

substance’s legal status, it would have to be determined whether possession or sale of the substance is legal or illegal.

Alcohol (example: 4Loko) Marijuana Tylenol w/Codeine

Drug Use Instrumental: users take the drug out

of necessity› Example: Using Xanax to quell anxiety

Recreational: users take the drug simply to achieve a “buzz” or “high” › Example: Smoking marijuana to “feel

good”

Psychopharmacology Here, we are looking at the impact of

drugs on the mind

The actions of some drugs can conduce (lead/contribute to) certain behaviors

Many drugs have extreme toxicity, and others produce a powerful dependence in users

Abuse & Dependence: What’s the Difference?

Drug abuse refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent

Dependence refers to the continued use of the drug despite problems related to use of the substance. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped

Drug Dependence Can Be…› Physical: a process by which the body

adjusts to and comes to need the drug for its everyday functioning.

› Psychological: a desire to obtain or use a drug even though the physical dependence is not present

Effects Acute: one’s immediate reaction to

taking a drug, ie: overdose, motor discoordination

Chronic: the long term results of continued usage of a substance, ie: cirrhosis of the liver after 30 years of heavy drinking, lung cancer after decades of smoking

Tolerance Pharmacological: over time, neurons become

increasingly insensitive to a drug, so the drug becomes decreasingly ineffective

Cross: use of one drug leads to tolerance of a similar drug, ie: tolerance of heroin will produce tolerance to morphine, both are narcotics

Behavioral: refers to an experienced users compensation for the effects of a given drug, ie: an experienced drinker may have trained themselves to “drive” under the influence, as opposed to someone who has taken a few drinks and gotten behind the wheel for the first time.

Routes of Administration Intravenously (IV)

Smoking

Inhalation

Oral

Classification of Psychoactive Drugs

Depressants: temporarily reduce the function or activity of a specific part of the body or brain. Also known as “downers”

When used, the effects may include cognitive/memory impairment, muscle relaxation, lowered blood pressure/heart rate, and possible feelings of euphoria

Classification of Psychoactive Drugs

Stimulants: induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. Also known as “uppers”

These kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others. Feelings of euphoria may also be felt, however, many stimulants can also cause anxiety and heart failure.

Classification of Psychoactive Drugs

Hallucinogens: can cause subjective changes in perception, thought, emotion and consciousness

Dissociative Anesthetics: reduce or block signals to the conscious mind from other parts of the brain, yet they have the ability to induce hallucinogenic effects

Classification of Psychoactive Drugs

Narcotics are powerful drugs that give users feelings of euphoria, yet have a notably powerful sleep-inducing property