Psychoactive substances

Question 1

Stimulants

Answer 1

• amphetamine (speed)
• metamphetamine (ice)
• other amphetamine type stiulants
• cocaine
• hallucinogenic stimulants
• nicotine
• caffeine
• new stimulants

Question 2

Amphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)

Answer 2

First synthesized in 1887

Used in treatment of: narcolepsy, depression, ADHD

Question 3

Metamphetamine

Answer 3

First synthesized in 1911

Question 4

Amphetamine

Answer 4

White, ping, grey or yellowish powder (wrapped in small pieces of paper “wraps”)

• Snorting up the nose, injecting
• results in the release of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate

Question 5

Withdrawal symptoms (ATS)

Answer 5

Fatigue
vivid, unpleasant dreams
insomnia or hypersomnie
increased appetite

• rebound effect

Question 6

Rebound effect

Answer 6

Symptoms that were either absent or controlled while taking a medication, but appear when that same medication is discontinued, or reduced in dosage.

Question 7

MDMA

Answer 7

Ecstasy, molly etc

was synthesized in 1898, was patented in 1913.

Its chemical structure is very similar to amphetamine and mescaline.

Increase the activity of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine

Question 8

Somatic and mental effect - MDMA

Answer 8

ACUTE EFFECTS IN AVERAGE DOSE:

• increased energy
• alertness
• increased need for movement
• euphria
• friendliness, openness
• enhanced perception
• dilated pupils

ACUTE EFFECTS IN GREATER DOSE

• restlessness
• anxiety and paranoia
• irritability
• panic attack
• intense visual and auditory hallucinations

Question 9

Adverse effects that last up to a week (MDMA)

Answer 9

• depression
• fatigue
• psychotic episodes
• paranoia
• insomnia
• loss of appetite
• dzziness
• loss of self-control
• impulsiveness
• decreased sexual drive

Question 10

Cocaine

Answer 10

Obtaines by processing the coca leaf

Question 11

Speed ball

Answer 11

cocaine + heroin

Question 12

Cocaine + effects

Answer 12

• inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, norepeniehphrine and dopamine
• the same somatic and mental effect as amphetamine
• Main reason for popularity: euphoria, openness, increased energy, talkativeness, self-confidence, increased sexual drive.
• highly addictive
• rebound effect: depression, fatigue
• Withdrawal: mental symptoms as irritability, restlessness, depression, insomnia, intense craving

Question 13

Hallucinogens

Answer 13

• Conscious alteration: difference in intensity
• hallucinations
• unique changes in perception, cognition, affect, and spiritual states

Question 14

Cannabis

Answer 14

Does not include the cannabinoids in the hallucinogen category

cannabis produces subjective states along the “hallucinogenic” spectrum but different in their psychological and behavioral effects.

Question 15

Three species of cannabis

Answer 15

Cannabis sativa
Cannabis indica
Cannabis ruderalis

Question 16

Two types of cannabinoid receptors in the brain

Answer 16

CB1 = nerve terminals of the frontal region of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and basal ganglia

CB2 = mainly on cells of the immune system

Question 17

Marihuana + medical use

Answer 17

• Chemotherapy: preventing nausea, feeling of sickness
• AIDS treatment (used as an appetitive
• Anti-epileptic medicine

Question 18

Symptoms of overdose (marihuana)

Answer 18

Vomiting
dizziness
intense heart rate
headache
respiratory problems
intense anxiety
panic attack
hallucinations
paranoid thoughts

Question 19

Withdrawal (mainly mental effects)

Answer 19

• insomnia
• irritability, restlessness
• anxiety
• depression
• Emptiness
• amotivation syndrome (passivity, aimlessness, apathy, uncommunicativeness, lack of ambitions)

Question 20

Cannabis use and mental disorders

Answer 20

Affective disorders:

depression, other mood disorders, anxiety disorders

Question 21

Hallucinogens

Answer 21

Diverse group of substances that vary
- in source
- chemical and molecular structure
- pharmacological effects
In addictive potential
- in toxic effects (medical, neurological, psychiatric)

• Low addiction potential, dependence is very rare
• Flashback: re-experiencing the effects of the drug. Stress, tiredness, cannabis may provoke it.

Question 22

Albert Hoffmann

Answer 22

1938 - LSD

Question 23

LSD

Answer 23

Used mainly as a recreational drug and for spiritual reasons

• somatic effect after 30 minutes, then mental effects –> disappear after 12 course.
• in greater dose: no higher level of euphoria, but more negative experiences.
• Effects are influenced by: personality, mood, mental state, expectation, context.

Question 24

Somatic effect LSD

Answer 24

Dilated pupils
Increased blood pressure
Tremor
Sweating
Dizziness
Nausea
Enervation
Blurring of sight

Question 25

Mental effect LSD

Answer 25

``` Distortion in time perception Longer response time Illusions Distortions in sight Visual and auditory hallucinations Laughing Memory problems Anixety Depersonalization ```