Drugs and Consciousness

Drugs and Consciousness Psychoactive Drugs: chemicals that

alters one’s perceptions and mood

Agonist Molecule Mimics Drugs Prevent

Proper Reuptake

Drugs and Consciousness

Continued use of psychoactive drugs can lead to tolerance Diminishing effect with regular use of

the same drug requiring the user to take larger and larger doses before discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Drugs and Consciousness Side effects of tolerance

Lead to withdrawal Discomfort and distress that follow

discontinuing the use of an addictive drug

Withdrawal can cause physical pain- WHY? Write it down!

Physical dependence Psychological dependence

Drugs and Consciousness Misconceptions about addictions

Addictive drugs quickly corrupt Addictions can’t be overcome

voluntarily; therapy is a must We can extend the concept of addiction

to cover not just drug dependencies but a whole spectrum of repetitive pleasure seeking behavior…but should we? Shopping Addiction? Work Addict?

Drugs and Consciousness

Three types of psychoactive drugs Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens

Drugs and Consciousness

Depressants: drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Drugs and Consciousness

Alcohol Lowers inhibitions and judgment A person’s various attributes become

stronger Helpful person= more helpful Aggressive person= more

aggressive

Drugs and Consciousness

Dosage: Lower doses relax the drinker by slowing

the sympathetic nervous system Reaction speed slows, speech slurs, skill

performance is altered Larger doses can become problematic

Denton & Krebs Study As blood-alcohol level increases, moral

judgments falter. Conclusion: Virtually all will drive home from

a bar, even if given a breathalyzer test and told they are intoxicated.

Drugs and Consciousness Side effects of alcohol:

Effects memory Disrupts the processing of recent

experiences into long-term memories Studies also show problems transferring

memories from intoxicated mind to the sober mind

Suppresses REM sleep Reduces self awareness Focus on immediate situation without

looking at the future 50% of rapists acknowledge drinking prior

to committing the crime

Drugs and Consciousness Barbiturates

Tranquillizers that mimic alcohol Can be used to induce sleep or lower anxiety

Opiates Opium, Morphine, and Heroin

Depress neural functions and communications

Long term withdrawal Symptoms

Body stops producing endorphins Feeling lethargic Respiratory Failure

Drugs and Consciousness

Stimulants Caffeine (most used drug), nicotine,

amphetamines, and cocaine are all examples Speed up body functions Used to stay awake, lose weight, boost mood

Can be addictive Can lead to “crash”

Methamphetamine Triggers the release of dopamine which

stimulates brain cells that enhance mood and energy.

Over time will reduce dopamine levels Causes depressed functioning Highly addictive Aftereffects

Irritability, insomnia, hypertension, seizures, depression, violent outbursts.

Drugs and Consciousness Cocaine

3% of the population have admitted to using cocaine

Rush depletes serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine which leads to the “crash”

Studies show cocaine leaves the neural reward switch in the on position

May lead to emotional disturbance, suspiciousness, convulsion, cardiac

arrest, respiratory failure.

Drugs and Consciousness

Hallucinogens Distort perception and evoke images LSD

Created in 1943 by Albert Hoffmann ( a chemist)

“…perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors”

Phases of hallucination Geometrical shapes meaningful images

dreamlike scenes

Drugs and Consciousness Marijuana

Leaves and flowers of the hemp plant (cultivated for 5,000 years for its fiber) THC is the active ingredient Smoking marijuana gets THC to brain in 7

seconds Effects of marijuana

Relaxes and produces euphoric high in subject taking marijuana

Mild hallucinations occur Amplified sensitivity to color, sound, tastes,

and smells

Drugs and Consciousness

Side effects of marijuana Impairs motor coordination,

perceptual skills, reaction time Disrupts memory formation and recall

abilities Depresses sex hormones in males and

lowers sperm levels More lung damage than cigarette

smoking

Drugs and Consciousness

Study followed 654 junior high students into their 20’s Found heavy users developed more

health problems and family problems than their counterparts Example of a longitudinal study

Longitudinal study Scientific study that follows a group of

people throughout a period of time Typically used to study developmental

trends Cross-sectional study

Scientific study in which data are collected from groups of participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn about differences due to age