Transcript Day 33 Toxicology

Forensics
Toxicology
Drugs
Drugs
Drugs are a natural or synthetic substance
used to produce physiological or
psychological effects.
Drugs can be separated into four main
categories:
Narcotics
Hallucinogens
Depressants
Stimulants
Narcotics
Narcotics are known to bring relief
from pain and induce sleep.
They are produced from opium,
which is a gummy, milky juice
exuded through a cut made in the
unripe pod of the poppy plant.
Narcotics
Morphine- made directly
from opium
Heroin- (diacetyl morphine)
comes directly from morphine
Codeine- present in opium but
is usually prepared synthetically
from morphine
Narcotics
“Opiates”- though not derived from opium,
these have the same physiological effects
Examples: methadone and
propoxyphene
Analgesics- these are pain relievers
aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are drugs that cause
alternation in normal thought processes,
perceptions, and moods.
The most commonly used hallucinogens are:
Marijuana
LSD
Peyote
PCP
Ecstasy
Hallucinogens
Marijuana-
this drug is made from the hemp
plant Cannabis.
When the leaves, flower, stem,
and seed are crushed, the plant
secretes a sticky substance called
hashish. This contains the
hallucinogenic chemical
tetrahydrocannabinol or
THC.
Hallucinogens
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
Derived from ergot, which is a
type of fungus that attacks
certain grasses and grains.
LSD acts on part of the brain responsible for
sensory reception and causes hallucinations.
It is usually absorbed onto
blotter paper and sold in
dosage units.
Hallucinogens
Peyote (Lophorphora villiamsii)
This cactus contains the most active alkaloid,
mescaline. Sections of a dried plant, called
buttons, can be chewed directly or the
mescaline can be extracted by brewing it in
water.
PCP (Phencyclidine)
This is also known as angel dust
when mixed with other drugs. It can
be smoked, ingested or sniffed.
Hallucinogens
Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a hallucinogen related to
amphetamines.
It drains the brain of serotonin, allowing users at
raves to dance until exhaustion.
Though ecstasy causes dehydration, drinking too
much can cause the brain to swell.
Ecstasy causes permanent chemical changes to
the brain, and damage to the liver, kidney, vision
and heart.
It can induce panic attacks, memory loss, mood
swings and paranoia.
Depressants
A depressant is a substance used to depress the
functions of the central nervous system. These
drugs are used as a sedative or sleeping pill by
slowing down the mental and physical processes
of the body.
Alcohol is one of the most commonly used
depressants. It is the product of the
fermentation of grains or sugars.
Alcohol can quickly travel to the brain
through the bloodstream where it
quickly suppresses the brain’s control
of thought processes and muscle
coordination.
Depressants
Barbiturates- These are known
as “downers” and several are used
for medicinal purposes;
Secobarbital, phenobarbital,
pentobarbital, and butabarbital
Methaqualone- (Quaaludes) a
non-barbiturate depressant,
though an extremely powerful
sedative and muscle relaxer.
Chloral Hydrate- this is a sleep inducing
sedative also known as a Micky Finn.
Drugs
Depressants
Tranquilizers-
these generally produce a relaxing
tranquility without impairment of
high-thinking facilities or the
inducement of sleep.
These drugs can cause psychological
and physical dependencies with
repeated high levels of usage.
Some examples include Miltown, Librium
and Valium.
Depressants
Glue Sniffing- this is also known as
solvent abuse, in which everyday
household items are illegally inhaled to
reach a ‘high’.
Sniffing exposes the heart, liver and brain
to volatile gases with a significant risk of
death.
Stimulants
A stimulant is type of drug that stimulates the
central nervous system.
Stimulants create an increase in pleasure,
alertness, confidence and movement by
interfering with the reabsorption process of
dopamine in the brain.
Amphetamines- these are
man-made compounds used to
mimic adrenaline and stimulate
the sympathetic nervous
system.
Stimulants
Cocaine- This drug is extracted
from the leaves of the Erythrozylon
coca, a coca plant grown in the
Andes of South America and
tropical Asia.
Cocaine powder is normally
snorted, and then absorbed
through the mucous membrane
of the nose.
Cocaine functions as a
stimulant, by blocking
the normal recycling
process of dopamine.
This buildup of dopamine
contributes to the
pleasurable effects of
cocaine.
Stimulants
Crack is made by mixing cocaine
with baking soda and water in a solution that
is heated in a pot, dried and broken into tiny
chunks that dealers sell as crack rocks.
It’s euphoria lasts only a few minutes, and with
a quick tolerance level, crack has a high
addiction potential.
Anabolic Steroids-
This is a synthetic
compound that is
chemically related to
the male sex hormone,
testosterone.
Testosterone
accelerates muscle
growth. But has many
side effects when
abused.
Steroids are usually
injected, but can also
be taken in the form of
a pill.