Psychoactive Drugs

• Psychoactive drugs


  Drugs that alter brain functioning by acting upon the central nervous system; they can alter the mood, cognition and perception of the user
• Psychoactive drugs


  • Legal
  • Illegal
  • Common
  • Highly specialized
• Depressants (Downers)


  • Alcohol
  • Barbiturates
  • Tranquilizers
  • Sedatives
• Depressants


  • Reduce behavioral output and activity in the central nervous system
• Alcohol


  • Deadens pain; reduces coordination; interferes with normal functioning of senses and reduces social inhibitions
• Barbiturates


  • Produce a wide spectrum of effects from mild sedation to anaesthesia; also used as anticonvulsants

  
• Tranquilizers


  • Prepare people for surgery to induce sleep
• Sedatives


  • Used in conjunction with surgery; prescribed to treat pain, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and convulsions
• Stimulants (Uppers/Antidepressants)


  • Amphetamines
  • Caffeine
  • Cocaine
  • Nicotine
• Stimulants


  • Induce feelings of energy and activation
• Amphetamines


  • An appetite suppressant; elevates blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration
• Caffeine


  • Found naturally in food and beverages such as coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate
• Cocaine


  • Not normally prescribed therapeutically for its stimulant properties; clinically used as a local anaesthetic in ophthalmology
• Nicotine


  • The active ingredient in tobacco smoke; used as a potent insecticide in concentrated form
• Antidepressants


  • Nortriptyline
  • Fluoxitine
  • Phenelzine
  • Lithium
• Opiates


  • Opium
  • Morphine
  • Heroin
• Opiates


  • Produce lethargy and induce a dreamlike stage and pleasurable sensations
• Opium


  • Highly addictive; causes a sense of well-being and a calm drowsiness or sedation; deadens pain
• Morphine


  • Classified as a narcotic and commonly prescribed to manage pain
• Heroin


  • Described by some users as "a whole body orgasm"; extremely addictive; intensified pleasurable sensations
• Psychedelic and Hallucinogenic


  • Marijuana
  • LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
  • Mescaline
• Psychedelic and Hallucinogenic


  • Alter cognition and perception
• Marijuana


  • Can produce feelings of increased sexual pleasure for some people; used as a recreational drug for moderate arousal
• LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)


  • Can produce hallucinations; the effects can be frightening and may cause panic; sold as tablets, capsules, liquid or on absorbent paper
• Antipsychotics


  • Chlorpromazine
  • Haloperidol
  • Clozapine
• Anti-Anxiety


  • Alprazoram
  • Buspirone
• Psychological Addiction


  A user feels compelled to use a drug despite negative physical or societal consequence
• Physical Dependence


  A user must use a drug to avoid physically uncomfortable or even medically harmful withdrawal symptoms