Question

Drugs Affects on the Brain Writing Assignment

Directions and Rubric

After reading chapter 3 in your text "PSYCHOLOGY ELEVENTH EDITION ", write a one page analysis of the interactions of each of the three types of psychoactive drugs (depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens) and the effects they have on the brain and nervous system.  Be sure to use specific examples in your analysis.

The finished product should be one page in length double spaced with 12 point font and margins of 1 inch.

Answer 1

Answer.

Psychoactive Drugs interact with the brain and body to alter moods, emotions, and behaviours by changing brain chemistry and alter perceptions, about the world. drugs such as hallucinogens, depressants and stimulants may slow down or speed up the central nervous system and autonomic functions such as blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, and body temperature that are vital for living.
The psychoactive chemical in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH), interacts and binds with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, producing a mellowing and relaxing effect. Regions of the brain with high concentrations of cannabinoid receptors are heavily impacted. One such part of the brain, the hippocampus, manages short-term memory, meaning that marijuana use can impede recollection of recent events. Additional regions of the brain that are impacted include the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help to control coordination and involuntary muscle movements respectively. When someone abuses marijuana, impaired motor skills, mood alterations, distorted time and sensory perception, decreased memory, and trouble thinking clearly and solving problems are all common short-term side effects. Marijuana also interferes with levels of dopamine in the brain, causing the euphoric “high” that users document.

Stimulants like Cocaine, methamphetamine (meth), and prescription amphetamines like Adrall and Ritalin (methylphenidate) speed up the central nervous system and increase the heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure while increasing energy levels, focus, attention, and heightened state of alertness. They also suppress appetite. Cocaine and meth, especially, produce a rapid increase in the dopamine production in the brain which leads to an intense high. This is followed by a “crash” that comes after a stimulant high which leaves a person feeling extremely fatigued, hungry, irritable, mentally confused, and depressed. Thus, they are extremely addictive due to the the impact on the dopamine levels and the limbic reward system. Regular cocaine abuse can lead to paranoia and negatively impact functions of the central nervous system, causing cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, convulsions, stroke, and death.

Depressants like Benzodiazepine increase the levels of GABA in the brain and slow functions of the central nervous system. after a dependence on a benzodiazepine has formed, The central nervous system that was dampened by the drug can go into overdrive, and the brain may be slow to produce GABA on its own, which may result in elevated anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, tremors, suicidal tendencies, sweating, hypertension, irregular heart rate, muscle tension and aches.

Hallucinogens are a category of drugs that lead to distortions of reality and perceptions. They interrupt normal communication between neurotransmitters. Dissociative drugs are believed to disrupt the action of glutamate, which is involved with memories, cognition, emotions, and how people perceive pain. This can result in impaired motor functions, auditory and visual distortions, memory loss, anxiety and numbness.

They stimulate The neurotransmitter serotonin and affect the prefrontal cortex of the brain by interacting with the central nervous system, causing irregularities in body temperature, heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure. Overall, hallucinogens are not considered to be addictive; however, there may be residual effects of their abuse.