Ch 5 pgs. 181-188

1. Drugs are bad.
Just say “no”
Don’t drink and drive
and
don’t drive with anyone
who has been drinking

2. Drugs
• Altered state of consciousness and
perceptions of reality
• Pleasure, relaxation, escape
• Impair decision making capabilities
• Tie to ‘reward circuits’ in brain
(evolution)
• Culture: acceptability of use varies

3. Hallucinogens
• Alter perceptions, create hallucinations
• Neurotransmitter SEROTONIN
• Mescaline, ‘shrooms, LSD (acid), PCP (angel
dust)
• Cannabis:
– Hemp (other uses)
– THC (dopamine)
– Mild and pleasurable hallucinogenic
– Pain relief, sedation, euphoria (like heroin)
– Psychological addiction more than physical

4. Opiates
• Opium poppy
• Morphine, heroin, codeine
• Highly addictive; analgesic (endorphins)
• Bayer developed heroin!
• Strong rush, euphoria, little cognitive
changes
• Serious addiction, costly (crime)
• Pain control (no addiction)

5. Depressants
• Slow mental and physical activity
(CNS)
• Barbiturates, benzodiazepines,
alcohol
• Relieve pain and anxiety OR
impair reflexes and judgment
• Barbiturates:
– Sleeping pills (reduce REM = feel
unrested, have crazy dreams,)
– Can overdose easily (Michael
Jackson? Heath Ledger?)

6. Depressants Cont’d
• Benzodiazepines
– Minor tranquilizers for anxiety
– Valium and Xanax
– Commonly prescribed (and abused)
– Overdoses and withdrawal are unpleasant
• Alcohol
– Loosen inhibition (self monitoring center)
– Small doses relaxes and increases reaction time
(ADULT)

7. Depressants Cont’d
• Alcohol cont’d
– Metabolize 1oz per hour! (typical beer 8-12 oz)
– 0.1 % ‘legally’ drunk…0.08% now
– Social lubricant
– 5-10% quality of life harmed by alcohol use/abuse
– Binge drinking on college campuses
– Pregnant women (mental retardation of baby)
– Alcohol related auto accidents are the leading cause of
death in ages 15-25. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE

8. Stimulants
• Speed up central nervous system
• Increase concentration and decrease hyperactivity
• Cocaine powerful, crack addictive
• Amphetamine (speed) methamphetamine (meth)
and MDMA (ecstasy)
• Hallucinations and delusions, convulsions, etc

9. Stimulants con’t
• Emotional roller coaster; dependency and
tolerance
• Caffeine and nicotine
– Addictive (pleasure centers of brain)
– Minor negative effects (misattribution?)
– Nicotine:
• Variety of health problems
• Leading cause of preventable disease
• Legal and actively promoted 

10. Dependence and Addiction
• Drugs block or stimulate neural messages
on synapses (brains communication
mode)
• Tolerance needs more and more often to
get same effect
• Physical dependence occurs as tolerance
builds (neurotransmitters)  withdrawal
• Everyday reinforcers become less
meaningful
• Addiction is use even when bad effects
occur

11. Dependence and addiction cont’d
• Psychological dependence is craving or
hungering for drug (powerful reward)
• Addiction brain diseases (hospital vs. jail)
• Medicine, therapy, and economic solutions
• ENVIRONMENT in which addiction was formed
(classical conditioning and tolerance)

12. Peer pressure
Escape from conflict, frustration, failure,
pressure
Imitate parents, athletes, musicians
Personality: vulnerable, low self-esteem
Curious
Invincible to consequences
Against the rules
Challenge authority of parents/society