ADDICTIVE AND PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

A psychoactive drug,psychopharmaceutical, or psychotropic is a chemical substance that crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it affects brain function, resulting in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior

Psychoactive drugs have therapeutic utility, e.g., as anesthetics, analgesics, or for the treatment of psychiatric disorders

INTRODUCTION

HISTORY

Psychotropic drugs have been used from prehistoric times

Medicinal use is one of the important facet of psychoactive drug usage in ancient times

The chewing of coca leaves, dates back over 8000 years ago has been found by archeologist while studying

THE THEORY OF DOSE,SET AND SETTING

Dr. Timothy Leary , Ralph Metzner, and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) in the 1960s

Dosage – some compounds are beneficial when

consumed in small amounts, but harmful in higher

doses

Set – it is internal attitudes and constitution of a

person including their wishes, fears and expectation

Setting – it pertains to the surroundings, the place,

and the time in which experiences transpire

Commonly Used Psychotropic Drugs And Its Group

Anxiolytics (inhibits anxiety) - Benzodiazepine

Euphoriants (induces relaxation) - MDMA , MDA, Indopan

Stimulants - amphetamine, caffeine, cocaine,

nicotine

Depressants - alcoholic beverages (ethanol),

opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines

Hallucinogens - LSD and nitrous oxide

PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION

Psychiatric medications are psychoactive drugs prescribed for the management of mental and emotional disorders

There are six major classes of psychiatric medications :Antidepressant – clinical depression, anxiety, eating disordersStimulants – attention deficit disorder, suppress the appetiteAntipsyhotics – schizophrenia, severe maniaMood stabilizers – bipolar disorderAnxiolytics – anexiety disorderDepressent – hynotics, sedatives, anaesthetics

ANESTHESIA – It is a class of psychotropic drugs used on patients to block pain and other sensations. Most anesthetics

induce unconsciousness, which allows patients to undergo medical procedures like surgery without physical pain or emotional trauma induce unconsciousness, anesthetics affect the GABA and NMDA systems. For example, halothane is a GABA agonist, and ketamine an NMDA receptor antagonist

PAIN MANAGEMENT- Psychoactive drugs are often prescribed to manage pain. The subjective experience of pain is primarily regulated by endogenous opiod peptides. Thus, pain can often be managed using psychoactives that operate on this neurotransmitter system, also known as opiod receptor agonist. This class of drugs can be highly addictive, and includes opiate narcotics, like morphine and codeine.

USES

MILITARY

Psychotropic drugs have been used in military as non- lethal weaponIn World War II 60 million amphetamine pills were used by soldiersBrown-brown, a form of cocaine adulterated with gun powder, has been used in Sierra Leone Civil WarBoth military and civilian American intelligence officials are know to use psychotropic drugs for there interrogation with captives

Administration

For a substance to be psychotropic it must clear the blood-brain barrier so it can affect neurochemical function.Certain drugs such as alcohol and caffeine are ingested in beverages form.Nicotine and cannabis are often smokedCrystalline drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines are often insufflated (inhaled or ”snorted”)Medicines such as lorazepam is ingested orally in tablet form or capsule form

The efficiency of each method of administration varies from drug to drug

EFFECTS

It affects a person’s neurochemistry, which in turn causes a change in person’s mood, cognition, perception and behaviour.Agonist - Increase the synthesis of one or more neurotransmitter, by reducing it’s reuptake from synapses, or by mimicking the action by binding directly to the postsynaptic receptor.Antagonist – operate by interfering with synthesis or blocking postsynaptic receptors so that neurotransmitters cannot bind to them.

An overview of normal signalling by neurotransmitter

Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitterDerived from tryptophanFound in gastrointestinal tract, platelets and in central nervous systemIt contributes to feelings of well being and happiness It also acts as a growth factor for some cells

ADDICTION

It is of two types :-

Psychological Addiction – by which a user feels compelled to use a drug despite negative physical or societal consequences

Physical Dependence – by which a user must use a drug to avoid physically uncomfortable or even medically harmful withdrawal symptoms

Drugs that are most likely to cause addiction are drugs that directly stimulate the dopaminergic system, like cocaine and amphetamines

Drugs that only indirectly stimulate the dopaminergic system, such as psychedelics, are not as likely to be addictive

LEGALITY

The legality of psychoactive drugs has been controversial The most influential document regarding the legality of psychoactive

drugs is the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, an international treaty signed in 1961 as an Act of the United Nations

It is signed by 73 nations including United States, USSR, India and United Kingdom

It established the legality of each drug and laid out an international agreement to fight addiction to recreational drugs by combatting the sale, trafficking, and use of scheduled drugs

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authority over all drugs, including psychoactive drugs

Psychotropic drugs are only given with a prescription However, certain psychoactive drugs, like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs

listed in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs are subject to criminal laws

Thank you !!