1

Drugs and Consciousness

Module 17

3

States of Consciousness Overview

Drugs and Consciousness Dependence and Addiction Psychoactive Drugs Influences on Drug Use

4

Dependence & AddictionContinued use of a psychoactive drug

produces tolerance.

With repeated exposure to a drug,

the drug’s effect lessens. Thus it takes greater

quantities to get the desired effect.

5

Withdrawal & Dependence

1. Withdrawal: Upon stopping use of a drug users may experience undesirable side effects.

2. Dependence: Absence of a drug may lead to a feeling of physical pain, intense cravings (physical dependence), and negative emotions (psychological dependence).

6

Misconceptions About Addiction

1. Addictive drugs quickly corrupt.

2. Addiction cannot be overcome voluntarily.

3. Addiction is no different than repetitive pleasure-seeking behaviors.

Addiction is a craving for a chemical substance, despite its adverse physical &

psychological consequences.

7

8

Drugs and Consciousness

Psychoactive Drug: A chemical

substance that alters perceptions and mood (affects consciousness).

Link Psychedelic Science 47:50

9

Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive drugs are divided into three groups.

1. Depressants 2. Stimulants3. Hallucinogens

10

DepressantsDepressants are drugs that reduce neural

activity and slow body functions. They include:

1. Alcohol 2. Barbiturates3. Opiates

11

12

Depressants1. Alcohol affects motor skills,

judgment, and memory…and increases aggressiveness while reducing self awareness.

Daniel H

omm

er, NIA

AA

, NIH

, HH

S

13

14

15

16

17

Depressants2. Barbiturates: Drugs that depress the

activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment. Nembutal, Seconal, and Amytal are some examples.

18

Depressants3. Opiates: Opium and

its derivatives (morphine and heroin) depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety. They are highly addictive. Heroin Crisis at Nat Geo 45:46

http://opioids.com/tim

eline

19

20

StimulantsStimulants are drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions. Examples of stimulants are:

1. Caffeine 2. Nicotine3. Cocaine4. Ecstasy5. Amphetamines6. Methamphetamine (speed/crack)

21

Caffeine & NicotineCaffeine and nicotine increase heart and

breathing rates and other autonomic functions to provide energy. Link 2yo smoker

http://ww

w.tech-res-intl.com

22

23

24

Why Do People Smoke?

People smoke because it is socially rewarding.

Russel E

inhorn/ The G

amm

a Liason N

etwork

Link We love Cigarettes 49:17

25

Why Do People Smoke?

Nicotine takes away unpleasant cravings (negative reinforcement) by triggering epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and endorphins.

Nicotine itself is rewarding (positive reinforcement).

26

27

Cocaine

Cocaine induces immediate euphoria followed by a crash.

28

29

30

31

EcstasyEcstasy or

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a

stimulant and mild hallucinogen.

It produces a euphoric high and can damage serotonin-producing

neurons, which results in a permanent deflation of mood and impairment of

memory. (Croft 2001)

Greg S

mith/ A

P P

hotos

32

33

34

Methamphetamine• Methamphetamine increases the release,

and blocks the reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine, leading to high levels of dopamine in the brain.

37Link Drug toxicity 6:06

38

39

40

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs

that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the

absence of sensory input.

Housewife on Acid on CNN 5:01

Another person on Acid 8:46

Leary and kids who dropped acid…creepy 1:14

41

Sacks on Hallucinations

• Link short 1.17

• http://www.ted.com/talks/

oliver_sacks_what_hallucination_reveals_about_our_minds.html

42Link

44

Hallucinogens1. LSD: (lysergic acid diethylamide)

powerful hallucinogenic drug that is also known as acid. Inside LSD 45:24

2. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol): is the major active ingredient in marijuana that triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations. Marijuana at National Geographic 45:11

http

://static.h

ow

stuffw

orks.co

m

45

46

48

49

After a close brush with death, many people report an

experience of moving through a dark tunnel with a light at the end. Under the influence of hallucinogens, others report bright lights at

the center of their field of vision.

Near-Death Experiences

(From “H

allucinations” by R.K

. Siegel. Copyright

© 1977 Scientific A

merican, Inc. A

ll rights reserved.)

50

Influences on Drug Use

51

Marijuana UseThe use of marijuana in teenagers is directly related

to the “perceived risk” involved with the drug.

52

53

54

Influences on Drug UseThe use of drugs is based on biological,

psychological, and social-cultural influences.

End

55

56

57

58