Psychoactive Drugs

• tolerance

  users develop this as their brain chemistry adapts to offset the drug effect; also known as neuroadaptation
• psychoactive drugs

  chemicals that change perceptions and moods
• depressants


  drugs that calm neural activity, consequently slows bodily functions
• Provide some examples of depressants.

  opiates, tranquillizers, alcohol
• stimulants


  drugs that excite neural activity and speed up bodily functions
• Provide some examples of stimulants.

  caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamines
• hallucinogens


  substances that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input