drugs and consciousness
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Drugs and Consciousness. Psychoactive Drugs: chemicals that alters one’s perceptions and mood. Drugs and Consciousness. Continued use of psychoactive drugs can lead to tolerance - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Drugs and Consciousness
Psychoactive Drugs: chemicals that alters one’s perceptions and mood
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
Drugs and Consciousness
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
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 Etc.
Drugs and Consciousness
Dosage: Lower doses relax the drinker by slowing
the sympathetic nervous system Larger doses can become problematic
Denton and Krebs Bar Study
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
Drugs and Consciousness
Suppresses REM sleep
Drugs and Consciousness
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
Effects of alcohol also depends on expectations Cultural expectations play a large role
Drugs and Consciousness
Barbiturates Tranquillizers that mimic alcohol Can be used to induce sleep or lower
anxiety
Drugs and Consciousness
Opiates Morphine and Heroin
Depress neural functions and communications
Long term withdrawal symptoms with both
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”
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
Drugs and Consciousness
Hallucinogens Distort perception and evoke images LSD
Created in 1943 by Albert Hoffmann “…perceived an uninterrupted stream of
fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors”
Drugs and Consciousness
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
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
Drugs and Consciousness
Smoking marijuana gets THC to brain in 7 seconds
Time varies for other methods 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
Drugs and Consciousness
Depresses sex hormones in males and lowers sperm levels
More lung damage than cigarette smoking
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