The content of this presentation was taken from the: MIT Open Course Ware http://ocw.mit.edu ES.S10 Drugs and the Brain This was made on behalf of the final requirements for: CEIT321 Course in Middle East Technical University

1. C
RECREATIONAL
DRUGS
Week 12

2. RECREATIONAL DRUGS
•Other recreational drugs:
• Salvia divinorum – Mechanism: probably a κ opioid receptor
agonist. Effects: convincing, enveloping hallucinations,
strange emotions, thoughts, and sensations, strong
emotions.

3. RECREATIONAL DRUGS
• Amanita muscaria – Mechanism: GABAA agonist (like
benzodiazepines and barbiturates). Effects: Less vivid
hallucinations, perceptual changes, somewhat sedating.

4. RECREATIONAL DRUGS
• Nicotine – Mechanism: nicotinic ACh receptor agonist.
Effects: energy, clearer thought and memory, sometimes
experienced as relaxing, especially by people who already
have an addiction.

5. RECREATIONAL DRUGS
• Caffeine – Mechanism: adenosine receptor antagonist,
inhibits the phosphodiesterase which breaks down cAMP.
Effects: energy, wakefullness, alertness, concentration,
headache relief.

6. RECREATIONAL DRUGS
• Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sopor), thalidomide,
meprobamate (Milltown), carisoprodol (Soma),
glutethimide, chloral hydrate (knockout drops, Micky),
ethchlorvynol (Placidyl), methyprylon, primidone –
Mechanism: GABAA agonism. Effects: Relaxation, euphoria.

7. RECREATIONAL DRUGS
•Muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine) – Mechanism:
various. Effects: Relaxation, euphoria.

8. MIT Open Course Ware http://ocw.mit.edu
ES.S10 Drugs and the Brain
Spring 2013
Edited by Niña Joy Ubaldo
For CEIT321 Project
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Middle East Technical University