...to Psychology UNIT CODE; PSY 103 LECTURER; Alice Nzangi STUDENT; Ronnie Mwenda Kathurima STUDENT NO; 14s03ecrm001 TASK; Discuss Psychoactive drugs and their effects on the abuser Psychoactive drugs In order to clearly define what psychoactive drugs are we must first of all state what a drug is in order for the reader to understand much better. According to American Heritage Science dictionary a drug is “any article other than food intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or other animals.” Drugs are classified into, psychoactive drugs like alcohol and recreational drugs mainly for leisure like cigarettes. As you know in today’s modern society there are many forms of drugs being used starting from the medical to the non-medical drugs like marijuana and cocaine of which are very harmful to the user using these drugs essentially. According to Richard Seymour in his book the physician guide to psychoactive drugs he states that, the wonders of modern science and the wisdom of ancient times have brought us a bewildering variety of chemicals that effect the human mind. ' A number of these chemicals cause, in some way, effects that are considered desirable by the people who make use of them in nonmedical ways these are the substances that we refer to as psychoactive drugs. There are a great many such drugs, and more are being discovered, invented, or synthesized all the time, but basically they can be organized into four categories: -Narcotics/analgesics ...
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...Abstract: all drugs affect the mind but psychoactive drugs are a specific type of drug that is specifically made to affect the brain’s chemistry in order to correct an imbalance or abnormality. They have many medicinal uses, beneficial to humans, yet people use them recreationally. Former athletes used them primarily for medicinal uses but most soon fell into addiction or abused them on others. They have various effects on us as humans, creating altered states of consciousness that causes us to even forget what we are doing and hurt ourselves. Fortunately, there are rehabilitation centers and drug organizations that help spread awareness and provide drug abuse help. In January 2012, Former NFL Darren Sharper filed a worker’s compensation claim in California that described health problems including sleep, in which he was given prescription Ambien, a brand name of Zolpidem used to treat insomnia, by his doctor. He was a frequent user, going through 70 pills in 65 days in January 2014 ("Darren Sharper case spotlights sleep drug's dark side", 2014). January 12, 2014, he was found with 20 pills when arrested by Los Angeles officers as a suspect for two rape cases. He is also suspect for at least 4 other cases in various states throughout the United States. Sharper is not the only person who has turned to Zolpidem for sleep treatment. In fact, he is one of the growing numbers of former and current NFL players who use Zolpidem, even to the point of addiction, just to help them...
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...PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS INTRODUCTION Since the dawn of early civilization, psychoactive drugs have been used for many purposes. Psychoactive drugs are basically any substance that alters the mood and brain function of the person through taking them in any form. These drugs are used for a variety of reasons such as medical purposes, religious practices and even recreation. To give you a better perspective, listed below is a list on some types of psychoactive drugs that will be looked at further. 1. Stimulants. 2. Depressants. 3. Hallucinogens. STIMULANTS. These are substances that stimulate brain activity. Most psychoactive drug stimulants are used for recreational purposes like amphetamines, which are very dangerous drugs that cause mind-altering behavior. Some stimulants such as anti-depressants are prescribed for patients that need the medicine. Stimulants temporarily improve a person’s mental or physical abilities and are sometimes referred to as “uppers”. EFFECTS OF STIMULANTS Stimulants are often prescribed by doctors to treat a wide range of conditions, including obesity, depression, and sleeping disorders and are often abused because of the “rush” they bring on. Stimulants act by increasing activity in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. They increase alertness, physical endurance and the ability to stay awake. Heart rate and blood pressure are also increased by stimulants. TYPES OF STIMULANTS Stimulants can be categorized as: 1. Amphetamines ...
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...Refraining From Drug Use University of Phoenix PSYCH/355 October 15, 2012 Motivation and the Brain: Refraining From Drug Use Drug addiction within society today has become a big problem. To combat this growing epidemic, research is constantly being done to determine why these behaviors occur and how to refrain from the urge to use psychoactive drugs. Why people do it can be answered simply, because they like the way that psychoactive drugs make them feel. A psychoactive drug is any chemical substance that by affecting the function of the brain alters a person’s behavior and mood (Deckers, 2010). Psychoactive drugs can be anything from caffeine that is obtained by drinking a soda to opiates which are what is in morphine and heroin. In order to refrain from the use of psychoactive drugs, an understanding must be gained about why addictions to these chemicals occur in the first place. Brain Structures and Functions Associated with Refraining From Drug Use In order to understand how to refrain from drug use, it is important to first understand why it occurs. Different psychoactive drugs affect the brain and the body in their own specific ways. While some drugs stimulate the central nervous system, such as cocaine and caffeine, causing a more alert and energized feeling, others work as a depressant such as alcohol, which induces relaxation and can lower social inhibitions and stress levels (Deckers, 2010). Despite the fact that many drugs have different effects and can be...
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...Introduction As Elizabeth Hartney argues ‘psychoactive’ is a term that is applied to drugs and substances that a change a personal mental state by affecting the way the brain and nervous system’s work. This can lead to intoxication which is often the main reason people choose to take psychoactive drugs. In some situations, however these drugs can be used to alter a person’s mental state in order to exploit them for example use of date rape drugs. Psychoactive drugs such as anti-depressants and drugs used to treat conditions such as ADHD are also psychoactive. Another author argues, “These are drugs since ancient times which were used for their psychological effects to stimulate or relax, to bring sleep or prevent it, to enhance ordinary perceptions or to produce hallucinations. They also include alcohol, tobacco and coffee.”(Atkinson, Richard & HIlgard, 1983). Another source describes psychoactive drugs as, “The term ‘drug’ refers to any chemical substance, aside from food, that, upon entering the body, alters the physical or chemical characteristics of the body and its functions. A drug that alters sensory perceptions, mood, thought processes, or behavior is known as a psychoactive drug.” Behavior according to psychology refers to any action for example eating, sneezing, gambling, learning a language. DEPRESSANTS In small quantities, it appears to increase people’s energy and make them feel lively and sociable. In reality alcohol is a central nervous system depressant...
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...Sniffer canines trained to uncover Spice in Scottish jails The ever-increasing consumption of so-called legal highs in jails in Scotland has driven prison chiefs to train every one 30 of its sniffer canines to identify the problem drugs. All prisons in the country now have problems with prisoners taking new psychoactive drugs according to justice chiefs. These drugs have chemicals that result in effects that are similar to cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine. One inmate's death has been associated with this mind-altering drug and a nurse was knocked out in another incident by an inmate who ingested the zombie drug Spice. Previously referred to as legal highs, these new psychoactive drugs in May 2016 in the UK had a blanket ban criminalising...
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...Biological Rhythms and Stages of Sleep Sleep Theories Effects of Sleep Deprivation Sleep Disorders Insomnia Sleep Apnea Narcolepsy Parasomnias CRITICAL THINKING APPLICATION Dreams as Interpreted Brain Activity Dream Contents CONCEPT LEARNING CHECK 5.3 Theories of Dreams 5 Learning Objectives States of Consciousness 5.1 5.2 Define consciousness. Describe how consciousness relates to psychology. Describe the changes in brain wave activity that occur during the different stages of sleep. Understand why sleep deprivation is harmful. Understand why deep sleep is important. Understand why REM sleep is important. Describe some common sleep disorders. 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Describe the two main theories of dreams. Explain the two theories of hypnosis. Discuss the effects and benefits of meditation. List and describe the four categories of psychoactive drugs. Describe the effects of psychoactive drugs on the nervous system. 5.4 Hypnosis Critical Thinking About Hypnosis Theories of Hypnosis Altered State of Consciousness Role Playing Divided Consciousness 5.6 Drug Use Mechanism of Action of Psychoactive Drugs Depressants Alcohol Narcotics/Opiates Summary of Multiple Influences on Consciousness CONCEPT LEARNING CHECK 5.6 Effects of Psychoactive Drugs CONCEPT LEARNING CHECK 5.4 Theories of Stimulants Caffeine Nicotine Cocaine Methamphetamine Hypnosis 5.5 Meditation Meditation Defined Effects and Benefits of Meditation Hallucinogens ...
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...view that dreams can be traced back to erotic wishes is giving way to newer theories, for example, that dreams help us process information and fix it in memory or that dreams erupt from neural activity. Studies of hypnosis indicate that, although hypnotic procedures may facilitate recall, the hypnotist’s beliefs frequently work their way into subjects’ recollections. Hypnosis can be at least temporarily therapeutic and has the potential of bringing significant pain relief. Hypnosis may be an extension both of normal principles of social influence and of everyday splits in consciousness. Psychoactive drugs also alter consciousness. Depressants act by depressing neural functioning. Although their effects are pleasurable, they impair memory and self-awareness and may have other physical consequences. Stimulants act at the synapses by influencing the brain’s neurotransmitters. Their effects depend on dosage and the user’s personality and expectations. Hallucinogens can distort judgment of time and can alter sensations and perceptions. A number of those who survive a brush with death later recall visionary experiences. Some scientists point out that such near-death experiences closely parallel reports of hallucinations. CHAPTER GUIDE ➤ Exercise: Fact or Falsehood? Consciousness and...
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...withdrawal, substance abuse and substance dependence are the four substance-related conditions that are present in the DSM-IV-TR. Substance intoxication is a type of substance-induced disorder, consisting of reversible, substance-specific, maladaptive behavioral or psychological changes directly resulting from the physiologic effects on the central nervous system of recent ingestion of or exposure to a drug of abuse, medication, or toxin. Specific cases are named on the basis of etiology, e.g., alcohol intoxication. Substance withdrawal is physiologic and psychological readjustments made during discontinuation of use of a substance previously employed to induce intoxication. Substance abuse is a patterned use of a substance (drug) in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods neither approved nor advised by medical professionals. Substance abuse/drug abuse is not limited to mood-altering or psycho-active drugs. If an activity is performed using the objects against the rules and policies of the matter (as in steroids for performance enhancement in sports), it is also called substance abuse. Therefore, mood-altering and psychoactive substances are not the...
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...Past and Current Drug Trends Many past and current trends of the use and abuse of drugs in the United States have been associated with health and social trends that at times may have been considered culturally acceptable. Many trends have occurred since early times. The nineteenth century introduced advancement in modern medicines making several medicinal drugs popular, but by the end of the century was being considered a complicated matter. The twentieth century showed great concern amongst the American people for substance abuse and trends of usage and abuse changed as quickly as the decades past by. The drug usage and abuse now is very regulated and campaigned against misuse of licit drugs and the abuse of illicit drugs. Early times, sometimes going back hundreds or even thousands of years, was a time of curiosity and discovery. People found medicinal value in plants by eating them and by discovering the effects on animals after eating certain plants. The curiosities often made people sick or even die as they were learning the effects of these medicinal plants. Plants such as the willow bark were used to cure headaches; aspirin is now made from willow bark. The senna plant was discovered for its laxative properties. Morning glories, different types of mushrooms, and poppy plants were used for the hallucinogenic properties. Coca leaves were used for pain and is now known for the production of cocaine and marijuana was also widely used (Levinthal, 2012). These discoveries...
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...its unwavering feeling of loneliness, and sometime paralyzing affects. It’s often said that depression results from a chemical imbalance, Scientist have believed for more than 30 years that mood related chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine also known as monoamines are low in the brain during major depressive episodes (Nauert, 2006). Clearly, there is an impact on the patient’s life and his/her family life. Therefore, depression is often considered as a disorder that affects the whole family. In this presentation we will attempt to describe the general behaviors associated with depression, explain how biological influences play a role in depression, describe how altered states of consciousness related to sleep, psychoactive drugs, or meditation and hypnosis affect individuals with the depression, describe how the...
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...comes from "coca" and the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic. Biologically, cocaine acts as a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor, also known as a triple reuptake inhibitor (TRI). It is addictive because of its effect on the mesolimbic reward pathway. Formulations COCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE Topical Solution CIIRx only [Lannett Company, Inc.] Each mL contains:Cocaine hydrochloride 40 mg or 100 mg As aqueous solution.The topical solution contains the following inactive ingredients: citric acid, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Green No. 3, sodium benzoate, and water. Methamphetamine Methamphetamine (USAN) also known as metamfetamine (INN),meth, ice, crystal glass, tik, N-methylamphetamine, methylamphetamine, and desoxyephedrine, is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs. Methamphetamine occurs in two enantiomers, dextrorotary and levorotary; dextromethamphetamine possesses the well-known psychostimulant effects of the drug, while levomethamphetamine is CNS-inactive. Although rarely prescribed, dextromethamphetamine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD and obesity under the trade name Desoxyn, while levomethamphetamine is a non-prescription over-the-counter nasal decongestant. Formulations Methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets contain 5 mg of methamphetamine hydrochloride, USP for oral administration...
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...A drug is, in the broadest of terms, a chemical substance that has known biological effects on humans or other animals. Foods are generally excluded from this definition, in spite of their physiological effects on animal species. In pharmacology, a drug is "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being." Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that affect the function of the nervous system, altering perception, mood or consciousness. Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine are the most widely consumed psychoactive drugs worldwide. Recreational drugs are drugs that are not used for medicinal purposes, but are instead used for pleasure. Common recreational drugs include alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, as well as other substances such as opiates and amphetamines. Some drugs can cause addiction and habituation and all drugs can cause side effects. Many drugs are illegal for recreational purposes and international treaties such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs exist for the purpose of legally prohibiting certain substances. Etymology In English, the noun "drug" is thought to originate from Old French "drogue", possibly deriving later into "droge-vate" from Middle Dutch meaning "dry barrels", referring to medicinal plants preserved in them. The transitive verb "to drug" arose later and invokes the psychoactive rather than medicinal properties of a substance. Medication...
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...Drug Profile Paper Lainie Goodell PSY/425 September 27, 2010 Dr. Maria Cuddy-Casey Drug Profile Paper Addiction is an illness that usually progresses over time. Addiction is something that the body and the mind become used to and therefore all control is lost. Most addictions are caused from substances that are used to alter the mind and body. The psychology of addiction is the mind and physiology is the brain. Both the mind and the body can become addicted to substances and have altering, often painful, effects on the body if there is withdrawal. Even some substances, though legal, such as prescriptions are often abused the most. The following will address the different types of substances, including prescription drugs, their effects and withdrawal symptoms. Psychology and Physiology of Addiction “The brain is greatly affected by the disease of addiction. It's the kind of addiction that targets the brain” (Powers, 2010, para.3). The body brain becomes addicted to the substance when it is taken on a regular basis. When the brain is affected it caused a person to lose all sense of what is right and willpower is no longer relative. The person who becomes addicted now has to have the drug simply to keep their body from failing them; almost like the person needs the drug to stay alive. Specific Drug Substances Every drug has a category to which it belongs. Stimulants increase the activity in the brain. Depressants are exactly like their namesake and lead to such...
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...substances that are psychoactive. These substances are known to cross the barrier between blood and brain when they are taken into the body either through smoking, drinking, injection or any other means that may cause their entry into the body. These substances work by altering the normal functioning of the brain and results in what is often called 'getting high' (Heyman, 2009). The addiction develops when an individual cannot stay for prolonged periods of time without relying on the psychoactive substance that they are addicted to. An addiction may also include habits or behavior patterns that with time become ingrained in our day to day lives and which an individual eventually finds out that they cannot live without indulging in their particular habit or behavior. Though the involvement in the activity or substance is initially a means to seek bliss and enjoyment, after a while, the individual will need to engage in the substance or activity to feel that he or she is normal. Experts in psychology have identified addiction in many forms, but all of them highlight the unusual psycho-dependency on substances and activities. These include; gambling, eating, sex and/or pornography, the internet, work, watching TV, shopping and many more. The main forms of addiction discussed widely though involve excessive drinking, excessive gambling, drug use, eating and sexuality (Orford, 1985). Drug addiction can be seen as the most highlighted among all forms of addiction. The term drug addiction...
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