Psychoactive Drugs - 1914 Words

Psychoactive Drugs are chemical substances that alter behavior, mood, perception, or mental functioning. Through the consumption of substances many cultures have found ways to alter consciousness. Psychoactive substances apply their effects by transforming biochemical or physiological processes in the brain. The message system of nerve cells, or neurons, relies on both electrical and chemical transmission. Neurons rarely touch each other; there is a microscopic gap between one neuron and the next, called the synapse. When a neuron fires, it releases chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synapse. Psychoactive drugs act by altering neurotransmitter function, they bind to the site of the firing neuron and inhibit this process so the†¦show more content†¦People who take these drugs are also faced who psychological effects such as a sense of distance and estrangement, depression, anxiety, and paranoia, violent behavior, confusion, suspicion, and loss of control, plus flashbacks, and behavior similar to schizophrenic psychosis, in addition to catatonic syndrome which is when a user becomes mute, lethargic, disoriented or makes meaningless repetitive movements. When ta ken in low quantities, marijuana, which is scientifically known as cannabis, becomes a depressant drug, which slows down the body’s systems. In the early 19th century the use of ‘dope’ spread to Europe from the Middle East and China, and by the middle of the century onto America. In 1937, cannabis was made illegal to possess and sell in the U.S. it has still being used as a popular recreational substance by some people. However, in some places it is still legal to smoke marijuana for medical purposes, because it suppresses nausea caused by chemotherapy, and possibly reduces eye pressure in severe cases of glaucoma. Pupils may become dilated, heart rate and blood pressure may increase, or a sense of well-being and relaxation all can occur, there are many more side effects that may transpire if LSD is taken. Morphine is the most effective painkiller. Morphine is what is left in the unripe seedpods of the opium poppy after the milky juice has been extracted. Morphine doesn’t diminish pain but changes the way aShow MoreRelatedPsychoactive Drug Addiction2235 Words   |  9 Pagesbut the biology of a person s body is a major factor. These substances, which are called psychoactive drugs, are what people become addicted to and are described as chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by temporarily changing perception and awareness. There are many different theories about what addiction is and why it happens but none have been proven. When a person uses psychoactive drugs they are releasing chemicals into their brain which causes a disturbance in the way the brainRead MorePsychoactive Drugs And Its Effects On Human Consciousness1284 Words   |  6 PagesA psychoactive drug is any substance that can be used to change brain function. This resulting change is responsible for alterations in perception, mood, and consciousness. As long as man has had a basic grasp on understanding consciousness they have tried delving deeper and deeper into their own consciousness and not only grown a larger respect for just how deep they can go but have had experiences that have encouraged them to go deeper. Rock paintings and fossil finds from as far back as 10,000Read MorePsychoactive Drugs And Its Effects On The Uk3996 Words   |  16 PagesBackground Psychoactive drugs can be defined as any chemical substance, whether it be of a synthetic or of an organic nature, used with the purpose of altering an individual’s psychological state of mind, mood or perception (Gossop, 1993, cited in Saggers Gray, 1998). According to Fleckenstein, Hanson Venturelli (2014), drugs are allocated into two categories consisting of illegal and legal. Illegal drugs usually consist of hallucinogenic substances such as marijuana (however, can be used forRead MorePsychoactive Drugs : The Single Convention On Narcotic Drugs1587 Words   |  7 PagesSingle Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was noted that the problem requires urgent and priority, and in 1984 in the Declaration on the fight against drug trafficking and drug abuse the entire conglomerate of problems, ranging from illicit manufacturing and trafficking to abuse, called shameful and disgusting crime. And it can be called a kind of ostrich policy† (The Single Convention on Narc otic Drugs of 1961). There are four key groups of psychoactive drugs: stimulants, depressants, opioidsRead MorePsychoactive Drugs Can Have On An Individual s Brain1612 Words   |  7 PagesTo fully understand the affects that psychoactive drugs can have on an individual’s brain, one has to first define the term, dissect the history and use, know what factors cause addiction, and what leads to drug dependency. What is a psychoactive drug? A psychoactive drug, psycho-pharmaceutical, or psychotropic is a chemical substance that changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness (drug, n.d). Typically the term drug alone can be seen or associated withRead MoreDrugs And Psychoactive Drugs925 Words   |  4 PagesPsychoactive drugs are chemicals that affect the nervous system. When a psychoactive drug is taken it can cause changes in mood, emotions, feelings and thoughts. These drugs can also change how a person perceives things and can alter the consciousness of t hat person (Plotnik Kouyoumdijian, 2014). Psychoactive drugs can be illicit or licit, illegal or legal. Both licit and illicit psychoactive drugs can cause affect a person. Some examples of licit psychoactive drugs are coffee, alcohol, and tobaccoRead MoreEssay about Psychoactive Drugs and Their Effect on Consciousness989 Words   |  4 Pagesconsciousness. Along with these age old questions, also came the use of psychoactive drugs and other mind altering substances. In order to try to understand these questions, humans have experimented with drugs that alter their state of consciousness. Psychoactive drugs are defined as chemical substances that affect the brain’s functioning, causing changes in behavior, mood and consciousness. There are several different types of psychoactive drugs;, some of these include: stimulants, depressants, and most importantlyRead MorePsychoactive Drugs Can Be Defined As Any Chemical Substance3595 Words   |  15 PagesPsychoactive drugs can be defined as any chemical substance, whether it be of a synthetic or of an organic nature, used with the purpose of altering an individual’s psychological state of mind, mood or perception (Gossop, 1993, cited in Saggers Gray, 1998). According to Fleckenstein, Hanson Venturelli (2014), drugs are allocated into two categories consisting of illegal and legal. Illegal drugs usually consist of hallucinogenic substances such as marijuana (however, can be used for medical reasons)Read MoreInformative Speech : Psychoactive Drugs Essay1603 Words   |  7 PagesThe second article that I felt needed revision to solidify the success of the piece was the brochure that discusses my topic of psychoactive drugs. While creating this topic in brochure form, I enjoyed the task at hand, felt at ease when creating it, so revising it would not necessarily be a burden on my part. The first major revision worth noting is the coherency. Throughout there were some word phrases that either did not flow well, were out of place, or felt too extra to the discussion at handRead MoreSynthetic Psychoactive Drugs Commonly Called Psychostimulants Or Central Nervous System Stimulants1373 Words   |  6 PagesAmphetamines, a group of synthetic psychoactive drugs commonly called psychostimulants or central nervous system stimulants, were first synthesized by L. Edeleano, a German chemist in 1887 (Amphetamine). This group of drugs includes amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine. The racemic ÃŽ ±-methylphenethylamine, a version of amphetamine, was later discovered in 1910 by Dale and Ba rger (Heal). This version was synthesized in 1927 by G. A. Alles while trying to find an alternative for ephedrine