Transcript AP Psychology Drug Use: Effects on the Brain and Behavior

AP Psychology
Drug Use: Effects on
the Brain and
Behavior
Basic Brain Facts: What we already
know about the human brain
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The brain controls basic functions like your
heart rate, alertness, balance and breathing
(critical life functions). (Brain Stem)
The brain interprets and processes information
from your senses (Sensation & Perception),
thinking and emotion. (Cerebral Cortex)
The brain handles your emotions, motivations
and perception. (Limbic System)
Basic Brain Facts: Communication
between your Brain and your Body.
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The Nervous System, made up of neurons,
connects every part of your body to your brain.
Neurons receive and transmit messages between
your body and your brain.
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Neurotransmitters are chemicals which instigate electrical
impulses between neurons.
This “chain reaction” allows information to travel between
your body and your brain.
Each type of neurotransmitter or, neurochemical has a
specific “receptor” on a neuron. The “connection” signals
the brain to initiate certain changes or adjustments the
body and/or behavior.
Drugs and your Brain
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Drugs can affect the ability of neurotransmitters by speeding up
(stimulating) or blocking (inhibiting) communication between
neurons.
In turn, this can lead to misinterpretation of stimuli in the brain and
therefore an altered perception of reality, bodily needs and
reactions.
All drugs, legal and illegal, have an effect on the brain in some
capacity.
Drugs that are misused or abused are done so because of their
perceived pleasurable neuro-effect by the user.
These drugs can be addictive, and dangerous to the user and those
around them.
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The brain encourages repeating behaviors that are associated with pleasure or
reward. Drugs which produce this can become addictive.
Categories of Abused Drugs:
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Stimulants
Narcotics
Hallucinogens
Depressants
Stimulants
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Stimulants will stimulate neurotransmitters
and speed up communication between the
brain and the nervous system.
Different stimulants mirror different
neurochemicals and affect the brain,
behavior and the body.
Narcotics
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Narcotics will inhibit neurotransmitters and
slow down communication between the
brain and the nervous system.
Different narcotics mirror different
neurochemicals and affect the brain,
behavior and the body.
Depressants
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Depressants will inhibit neurotransmitters
and slow down communication between the
brain and the nervous system.
Different depressants mirror different
neurochemicals and affect the brain,
behavior and the body.
Hallucinogens: Psychedelics
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Hallucinogens cause distorted perceptions
of the environment
Small amounts change how the brain
functions:
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Brain cells fire at random, causing confusion and
distorted perception of reality
Alcohol: A Depressant
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Effect on the brain with continued use:
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Inhibits neurotransmissions
With abuse, alcohol intake replaces food leading
to vitamin deficiencies, which can damage brain
cells.
Alcohol: Physical and Psychological
(Behavior) Effects
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Physical effects can include:
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Depressed breathing
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Can lead to loss of consciousness (cells and neurotransmitters shut down)
Nausea
Unsteady movement
Addiction can lead to liver damage
Psychological effects can include:
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Reduced inhibitions which can lead to risk-taking behavior
Behavior can be outside of social norms
Blackouts can cause short term memory loss
Dependence on alcohol to deal with stress
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Withdraw from dependency can include:
Anxiety, hallucinations, muscle weakness and body aches
Nicotine:
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Nicotine mirrors the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
 Acetylcholine causes:
 Body: Increased heart rate/respiration
 Behavior: Increased sense of alertness
Nicotine also initiates the release of the
neurotransmitter dopamine.
 Dopamine stimulates:
 Feeling of pleasure. (Usually this is stimulated
from food, comfort and love)
Nicotine Addiction
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Increased dopamine levels from nicotine
causes the brain to limit the natural
production of dopamine.
Because of this, smokers need nicotine to
reach “normal” levels of dopamine.
Therefore, nicotine is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE
Nicotine Addiction: Behaviors
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Withdrawal symptoms include irritability and depression.
Physical effects of extended nicotine addiction can include
lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and other issues.
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Senses: Reduced smell and taste.
Physical Stamina: Reduced
Physical Appearance: Accelerated skin aging, discolored teeth.
Psychological effects of nicotine addiction include a greater
risk of anxiety disorders, panic attacks, or depression,
especially among teens.
Marijuana:
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Marijuana stimulates the release of dopamine, which
stimulates the sensation of pleasure or euphoria.
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Feeling is short in duration.
Parts of the brain inhibited by Marijuana (THC bonds to
certain neuron receptors in brain)
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Hippocampus: Learning and memory (Studies on rats indicate
that long term THC exposure causes permanent damage to
neurons in this area.)
Cerebellum: Basic bodily functions.
Basal Ganglia: Connects Cerebral Cortex to brainstem and
spinal cord.
Cerebral Cortex: Thinking and emotion.
Marijuana: Physical and Psychological
(Behavioral) Effects of Regular or Extended
Use
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Physical effects include an increased heart rate,
dry mouth, and dilated blood vessels in eyes.
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Short term memory loss
Increased risk of bronchial illnesses
Psychological effects include:
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Increased risk of anxiety and mood disorders (depression)
Possible paranoia or hallucinations (usually when mixed
with other drugs)
Marijuana: Regular Use and
Withdrawal Symptoms
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Physical Sensations/Behaviors Associated with
Marijuana Use:
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Poor coordination
Possible anxiety/paranoia with higher doses
Mood swings
Increased appetite
Withdrawal symptoms can include irritability,
sleep disorders and weight loss.
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Can be similar to that of smokers.
Hallucinogens: Physical and Psychological
(Behavioral) Effects (Examples:
LSD/Psychedelic Mushrooms)
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Physical effects can include:
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State of excitement or euphoria
Increased pulse rate
Insomnia
Psychological (Behavioral) effects include:
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Distorted perceptions can lead to panic or risktaking behavior that can harm the self and
others.
Can create a trance-like or catatonic state
Inhalants:
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Numerous chemicals are usually inhaled.
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Some dissipate quickly.
Some chemicals are absorbed by the brain.
Some are absorbed by myelin (fatty tissue that
protects nerve fibers)
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Long term use can permanently destroy myelin,
which can inhibit neurotransmitters from
effectively communicating with the brain.
Inhalants:
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Physical effects of Inhalant use:
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Oxygen to the brain can be cut off or reduced.
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Effects can be permanent and are dependent on
what area of the brain is deprived of oxygen and
for what duration.
Damage to heart, kidneys and liver.
Can also cause anemia.
Inhalants: Specific chemicals and
possible physical effects
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Toluene ( spray paint, glue, dewaxer, fingernail polish):
hearing loss (sensation / perception), brain/spinal cord
damage (myelin), liver and kidney damage, increases
dopamine activity.
Trichloroethylene ( cleaning fluid, correction fluid): hearing
loss (sensation / perception), liver and kidney damage.
Hexane (glue, gasoline): loss of conciseness, muscle spasms.
Nitrous Oxide (whipped cream dispensers, gas cylinders):
loss of conciseness, muscle spasms.
Benzene (gasoline): bone marrow damage, anemia.
Inhalants: Specific Chemicals and
possible physical effects con’t.
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Butane (lighters): stimulates neurotransmitter,
noradrenaline, which increases heart rate.
(Perceived stressful situation by body)
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Nitrates: stimulates heart rate and enlarges blood
vessels.
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Heart rhythm can be disrupted, which can be lethal in a
short time period
Can cause dizziness and headaches
Basic Facts: Inhalant use can cause irreversible
damage.
Inhalants: Psychological and
Behavioral Implications
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Disorientation, depressed breathing
Inattentiveness
Clumsy movements, slurred speech
Irritability
Depression
Nausea, vomiting
REMEMBER: Permanent damage to the brain and
body can happen with the FIRST use.
Anabolic Steroids
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Synthetic hormones that mirror the natural
male hormone, testosterone.
Affect natural hormonal balances in the
body.
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Used often to build up bulk and muscle
Can be fatal or cause permanent damage
to your body
Anabolic Steroids: Physical and
Psychological (Behavioral) Effects
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Steroids cause body cells to produce certain
proteins which can affect the body in various
ways.
Possible Physical effects include:
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Shrunken testicles/lower sperm count/enlarged breasts for
males
Weaker immune system
Excessive hair growth (female) or hair loss (male)
Deeper voice/shrunken breasts for females
Pimples and acne (can be severe)
Can cause liver tumors and heart problems/increased risk
of stroke
Anabolic Steroids: Physical and
Psychological (Behavioral) Effects Con’t.
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Psychological and behavioral effects can
include:
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Limbic system in brain is affected (balances
moods/emotions)
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Irritability, and possible rage (“roid rage” –
aggressive violence-danger to self and others)
Euphoria
 Can go from one extreme to the other quickly
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Can cause depression, mania and delusions
Amphetamine Stimulants
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Increases energy and excitement.
The body builds a tolerance quickly by
adapting to a need for increased doses.
Highly addictive
Cocaine: Stimulant similar to
Amphetamines
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Neurotransmitters release dopamine which
leads to the feeling of pleasure.
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Dopamine receptors, with repeated use of
stimulants, are reduced. This requires increased
and more frequent use of the stimulant to
achieve same levels of pleasure.
Cocaine: Physical and Psychological
(Behavioral) Effects
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Physical effects of cocaine include:
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Increased heart rate and blood pressure
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Increased body temperature (high levels can lead
to convulsions)
Constriction of blood vessels (higher blood
pressure)
 Increased risk of stroke or irregular heart rhythm
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Dilated pupils
Increased metabolism and energy levels
Cocaine: Physical and Psychological
(Behavioral) Effects
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Psychological (behavioral) effects of cocaine use
include:
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Short term euphoria
Possible hostility or paranoia with repeated use
Increased risk of panic attacks and anxiety
Restlessness, irritability, insomnia
Long term use can reduce sex drive
With long term use, paranoid psychosis with auditory
hallucinations can occur
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Long term use can also increase mood disturbances
Methamphetamines
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Stimulant similar to amphetamines
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Longer and more intense effects
Highly addictive
Stimulates release of high levels of
dopamine
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Like with others, the brain eventually adjusts and
requires higher levels of the drug to achieve the
initial feeling of euphoria with first use.
Methamphetamines: Physical and
Psychological (Behavioral) Effects
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Physical effects of methamphetamine use
includes:
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Increased wakefulness, energy, insomnia
Increased heart and breathing rate
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Can cause irregular heart beat
Increased blood pressure
Decreased appetite
Dental problems
Methamphetamine: Psychological
(Behavioral) Effects
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Psychological effects can include:
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Anxiety
Confusion
Mood disturbances, including possible violent behaviors
Long term use can cause:
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Psychotic features: paranoia, visual and auditory
hallucinations/delusions
Cognitive changes with regards to emotion control and
memory
MDMA (Ecstasy) / Club Drugs
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Stimulates sensory perception of reality
Neurotransmitters become over-stimulated
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Has psychedelic properties
Leads to distortions in perception
Research has indicated that repeated use
can damage the ability of the brain to
produce serotonin.
MDMA (Ecstasy) / Club Drugs: Physical
and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects
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Physical effects can include:
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Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Increased body temperature
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Can lead to dehydration, or in severe cases,
hypothermia and in extreme cases, death
Short term hyper-awareness of surroundings
Increased energy levels
Nausea, chills, sweating, teeth clenching, muscle
cramping and blurred vision can occur.
MDMA (Ecstasy) / Club Drugs: Physical
and Psychological (Behavioral) Effects
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Psychological effects can include:
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Confusion
Depression, mood, aggression, sexual activity,
sleep and pain management (with inhibited
production of serotonin)
Can increase risk of anxiety
Opiates: Narcotics
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Opiates are narcotics that include heroin,
morphine, codeine and their derivatives.
Can produce quick feeling of pleasure, then
calmness or drowsiness.
Highly addictive
Addiction can happen very quickly
Opiates/Narcotics and the Brain
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Natural neurochemicals, called endogenous opioids, in your
brain help manage pain. Opiates are synthetic versions, and
more powerful.
Effect on the brain
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Influences the limbic system in particular (pleasure and
relaxation)
Depresses or inhibits neurotransmitters in the brain
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Inhibits or depresses areas of the brainstem
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“Automatic” body functions
 Examples: Stops coughing, slows breathing
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Inhibits or “blocks” pain messages from neurotransmitters (spinal
cord)
Brain adjusts to use of opiates and requires more to function in
the opiate induced state of normalcy
Opiates/Narcotics: Physical and
Psychological (Behavioral) Effects
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Physical effects of opiates can include:
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Drowsiness, lethargy
Slowed breathing, relaxed state
Pupils constricted
Euphoria
Withdraw symptoms include body aches,
shaking, sweating, chills and fever
Opiates/Narcotics: Physical and
Psychological (Behavioral) Effects
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Psychological (Behavioral) effects
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Depression with the “crash”
Extreme/desperate behavior in order to obtain
more of the drug, including illegal behavior or
risk taking behavior.
Dependency is difficult to treat and re-occurrence
of use is high, even after treatment.
RISK OF OVERDOSE / DEATH
Bibliography:
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McMahon, J., McMahon, F., & Romano, T. (1995).
Psychology and You. St. Paul: West Publishing Company.
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National Institute on Drug Abuse, (2009). NIDA for Teens:
The Science Behind Drug Abuse. Retrieved January 18,
2009, from NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse
Web site: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/index.php
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National Institute of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse:
The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved January
23, 2009, from National Istitute of Drug Abuse and Addiction:
The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction Web site:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/index.html