Annual Causes of Death in the U.S. (2000)Annual Causes of Death in the U.S. (2000)

Alcohol (excluding accidents/homocide)Alcohol (excluding accidents/homocide) Heart diseaseHeart disease Illegal drugsIllegal drugs HomicideHomicide SuicideSuicide CancerCancer TobaccoTobacco Prescription drugsPrescription drugs Car CrashesCar Crashes Poor diet/physical inactivityPoor diet/physical inactivity

Annual causes of death in U.S. for the Annual causes of death in U.S. for the following: (predominantly-2006 data )following: (predominantly-2006 data )

Heart DiseaseHeart Disease 631,636631,636 CancerCancer 559,888559,888 Tobacco Tobacco 435,000435,000 Poor diet/physical inactivity Poor diet/physical inactivity 365,000365,000 Prescriptions drugsPrescriptions drugs 106,000106,000 Car crashes Car crashes 43,000 43,000 Suicide Suicide 33,300 33,300 Alcohol (Alcohol (excluding accidents & homicides) excluding accidents & homicides) 22,073 22,073 Homicide Homicide 17,030 17,030 Illegal drug useIllegal drug use 17,000 17,000

MAIN AFFECTS OF DRUGS ON MAIN AFFECTS OF DRUGS ON THE BRAINTHE BRAIN

SPEED UPSPEED UP THE BRAIN AND BODY- THE BRAIN AND BODY- STIMULANTSSTIMULANTS

SLOW DOWNSLOW DOWN THE BRAIN AND BODY – THE BRAIN AND BODY – DEPRESSANTSDEPRESSANTS

RELIEVE PAINRELIEVE PAIN AND AND CAUSES EUPHORIACAUSES EUPHORIA –NARCOTICS–NARCOTICS

CAUSE HALLUCINATIONS-CAUSE HALLUCINATIONS- PSYCHEDELICSPSYCHEDELICS

MOLDED CAST OF A REAL BRAIN 100 BILLION NEURONS PLUS ABOUT 1 TRILLION GLIAL SUPPORT CELLS.

NEURONS IN THE BRAIN

LIMBIC SYSTEMLIMBIC SYSTEM

fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging

Brain scanshowing where the brain is usingoxygen High levels=orange/red/yellowLow levels=blue/green

Red represents dopamine transmission throughthe midbrain. Dopamine transmission in the methbrain is significantly reduced.

PET SCAN –positron emission PET SCAN –positron emission tomography tomography

Measures brain activity by illustrating whereMeasures brain activity by illustrating where

brain glucose is being used.brain glucose is being used.

SPECT SCANSPECT SCAN

SINGLE PHOTON EMISSION SINGLE PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHYCOMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

CAPABLE OF PROVIDING CAPABLE OF PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT BLOOD FLOW INFORMATION ABOUT BLOOD FLOW TO TISSUE IN A 3-D FORMATTO TISSUE IN A 3-D FORMAT

BOTH PET SCAN AND SPECT SCAN BOTH PET SCAN AND SPECT SCAN WERE FIRST USED IN 1970s FOR WERE FIRST USED IN 1970s FOR RESEARCHRESEARCH

NOW USED TO DIAGNOSE DISEASE IN NOW USED TO DIAGNOSE DISEASE IN HUMANSHUMANS

3-D viewOf theTop ofA healthybrain

3-D viewof under-surfaceof ahealthy brain

20 yearsofheroin

2 yearson cocaine

25 years onalcohol

BRAIN COMMUNICATIONBRAIN COMMUNICATION

DENDRITES (SHORT FIBERS) RECEIVE THEMESSAGE FROM A CELL WHICH IS SENTTHROUGH THE CELL BODY AND THROUGHTHE AXON (LONG FIBERS)

THE CHEMICAL MESSAGE IS THEN RECEIVED BY THE DENDRITE OF THE NEXT CELL WHICH TRIGGERS

AN ELECTRICAL IMPULSE THROUGH THE RECEIVING CELL

ECSTASY DAMAGES COMMUNICATION OF NEURONS

Y-1 used in the 1990sY-1 used in the 1990s PrimePrime SummitSummit Lucky StrikeLucky Strike RichlandRichland Raleigh XLPRaleigh XLP Private StockPrivate Stock Pall Mall PlainPall Mall Plain Raleigh 100sRaleigh 100s

MARIJUANAMARIJUANAActive ingredient in marijuana THC- delta – 9 Active ingredient in marijuana THC- delta – 9

tetrahydrocannabinol.tetrahydrocannabinol.

Acts on cannabinoid receptors on neurons in Acts on cannabinoid receptors on neurons in these main parts of the brain:these main parts of the brain:

hippocampus (memory)hippocampus (memory) cerebral cortex(thought processes and cerebral cortex(thought processes and

concentration)concentration) sensory portions of cerebral cortex sensory portions of cerebral cortex

(perception) (perception)

Cerebellum ( movement, coordination)Cerebellum ( movement, coordination) When THC activates these cannabinoid When THC activates these cannabinoid

receptors, it interferes with the normal receptors, it interferes with the normal functioning of these brain areas.functioning of these brain areas.

In low to medium doses marijuana causes:In low to medium doses marijuana causes: RelaxationRelaxation Reduced coordinationReduced coordination Reduced blood pressureReduced blood pressure SleepinessSleepiness Disruption in attentionDisruption in attention Altered sense of time and spaceAltered sense of time and space

In high doses:In high doses: HallucinationsHallucinations DelusionsDelusions Impaired memoryImpaired memory DisorientationDisorientation

There is a substance called anandamide There is a substance called anandamide found in the brain which is like the brain’s found in the brain which is like the brain’s own THC. Scientists are not sure of the own THC. Scientists are not sure of the function of anandamide in the brain. function of anandamide in the brain. Believed to be involved in mood,memory, Believed to be involved in mood,memory, appetite, cognition and emotions.appetite, cognition and emotions.

18 yr. old3 yr. history4 times a week

16 yr. old2 yr.historyDaily use

MARIJUANA USE

12 yearsonmarijuana

Among neurotransmitters affected are Among neurotransmitters affected are norepinephrine and dopamine.norepinephrine and dopamine.

ALCOHOLALCOHOL Alcohol, a depressant, shuts down the Alcohol, a depressant, shuts down the

communication of neurons in the brain.communication of neurons in the brain. It affects vision, coordination, judgment, It affects vision, coordination, judgment,

emotional controlemotional control BAC (blood alcohol level) affected by BAC (blood alcohol level) affected by

weight, food, stomach enzymes, how fast weight, food, stomach enzymes, how fast and how much you drinkand how much you drink

Depth perception impairedDepth perception impaired Night vision impairedNight vision impaired

Indicators of alcoholism:Indicators of alcoholism: Drinking spreesDrinking sprees Steady increase in alcohol consumptionSteady increase in alcohol consumption Morning drinkingMorning drinking Going to school or work drunkGoing to school or work drunk BlackoutsBlackouts Drinking whenever a crisis needs to be Drinking whenever a crisis needs to be

facedfaced Many alcoholics will have liver damage and Many alcoholics will have liver damage and

brain damage.brain damage.

AlcoholAlcohol Alcohol related crashed kill someone in the Alcohol related crashed kill someone in the

U.S. every 22 minutes. On the road, on any U.S. every 22 minutes. On the road, on any weekend, 1 out of 10 drivers is drunk.weekend, 1 out of 10 drivers is drunk.

Drunk drivers are responsible for ½ of Drunk drivers are responsible for ½ of highway fatal injuries.highway fatal injuries.

Alcohol is involved in 2/3 of murdersAlcohol is involved in 2/3 of murders

2/3 of spouse beatings2/3 of spouse beatings

½ of violent child abuse½ of violent child abuse

60% of all teen deaths in car accidents are 60% of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol relatedalcohol related

Every 22 minutes someone dies of an Every 22 minutes someone dies of an alcohol related motor vehicle accidentalcohol related motor vehicle accident

On any given weekend evening, 1 in 10 On any given weekend evening, 1 in 10 drivers on U.S. roads has been drinking.drivers on U.S. roads has been drinking.

People who are drunk often think they are People who are drunk often think they are functioning well.functioning well.

There are approximately 3 million teenage There are approximately 3 million teenage alcoholics and 14-16 million adult alcoholics and 14-16 million adult alcoholics. alcoholics.

COCAINECOCAINE

RELEASES NEUROTRANSMITTER RELEASES NEUROTRANSMITTER DOPAMINE, THEN PREVENTS THE DOPAMINE, THEN PREVENTS THE REABSORPTION OF DOPAMINEREABSORPTION OF DOPAMINE

DEPLETION OF DOPAMINE CAUSES DEPLETION OF DOPAMINE CAUSES DEPRESSION INCREASED ANXIETYDEPRESSION INCREASED ANXIETY

INCREASED RISK OF BRAIN INCREASED RISK OF BRAIN SEIZURES, HEART ATTACK, STROKE,SEIZURES, HEART ATTACK, STROKE,

RESPIRATORY FAILURE.RESPIRATORY FAILURE.

Guaranteed to cure any disease 1902 Sears Catalog

PCP- phencyclidine (angel dust)PCP- phencyclidine (angel dust) A drug that is a hallucinogen, stimulant, and A drug that is a hallucinogen, stimulant, and

an anesthetic all in one.an anesthetic all in one. It blocks the way some receptors It blocks the way some receptors

communicate message from cell to cellcommunicate message from cell to cell It can lead to euphoria, alleviate pain, It can lead to euphoria, alleviate pain,

disorganized thinking, aggressive behavior disorganized thinking, aggressive behavior or passive behavior.or passive behavior.

A major concern is the unpredictable nature A major concern is the unpredictable nature of PCP from one person to the next.of PCP from one person to the next.

AMPHETAMINEAMPHETAMINEMETHAMPHETAMINEMETHAMPHETAMINE

Amphetamine first synthesized in Amphetamine first synthesized in Germany in 1887Germany in 1887

Nothing was really done with the drug Nothing was really done with the drug until it was investigated for use in the until it was investigated for use in the 1920s1920s

Methamphetamine is more potent Methamphetamine is more potent and was discovered in Japan in 1919and was discovered in Japan in 1919

Illegal, clandestine labs manufacture most Illegal, clandestine labs manufacture most methamphetaminemethamphetamine

DEA chemists find many bacteria and DEA chemists find many bacteria and other germs in seized labs and others other germs in seized labs and others have reported that they were “crawling have reported that they were “crawling with bugs.”with bugs.”

Toxic chemicals used are put into the Toxic chemicals used are put into the environmentenvironment

Meth stimulates neurotransmitter Meth stimulates neurotransmitter dopamine in the body and braindopamine in the body and brain

METH USER

OPIUM – Used in Sumeria around 4,000OPIUM – Used in Sumeria around 4,000

B.C.for medicinal purposesB.C.for medicinal purposes No one smoked until thousands of years No one smoked until thousands of years

laterlater It was opium that first crippled an entire It was opium that first crippled an entire

nation with addiction (1600s-1800s) in nation with addiction (1600s-1800s) in China (often mixed with tobacco)China (often mixed with tobacco)

NARCOTICSNARCOTICS(FROM NARCOSIS MEANING TO DEADEN)(FROM NARCOSIS MEANING TO DEADEN)

In time, opium addiction began to subside In time, opium addiction began to subside as trade with England ended.as trade with England ended.

Morphine produced from opiumMorphine produced from opium in 1810- in 1810-thought to be a cure for opium addictionthought to be a cure for opium addiction

In the 1800s morphine used by doctors on In the 1800s morphine used by doctors on soldiers during war time in Europe and the soldiers during war time in Europe and the U.S. as painkillersU.S. as painkillers

Thousands of soldiers became morphine Thousands of soldiers became morphine addicts (400,000 U.S. from Civil War)addicts (400,000 U.S. from Civil War)

Heroin first synthesizedHeroin first synthesized in Germany in in Germany in 1874 for its supposedly “heroic” power to 1874 for its supposedly “heroic” power to cure morphine addictioncure morphine addiction

OpiumOpium – Sumeria for medicinal purposes – Sumeria for medicinal purposes 4,000 years ago4,000 years ago

MorphineMorphine produced from opium in 1810 produced from opium in 1810 HeroinHeroin synthesized in Germany 1874 used synthesized in Germany 1874 used

as a “cure” for morphine addictionas a “cure” for morphine addiction MethadoneMethadone synthesized in 1939 in synthesized in 1939 in

GermanyGermany Methadone now used in some clinics to Methadone now used in some clinics to

give to heroin addicts as a substitutegive to heroin addicts as a substitute

Narcotics could be ordered from the Sears Narcotics could be ordered from the Sears catalogue in the 1800scatalogue in the 1800s

Heroin was prescribed to help with Heroin was prescribed to help with alcoholism in the U.S.alcoholism in the U.S.

Harrison Act of 1914- passed to regulate Harrison Act of 1914- passed to regulate and prohibit sale and use of narcoticsand prohibit sale and use of narcotics

Heroin represents 90% of the narcotics Heroin represents 90% of the narcotics addiction in the U.S. (1 million addicts)addiction in the U.S. (1 million addicts)

Methadone used to help with heroinMethadone used to help with heroin addictionaddiction –clinics throughout the U.S. –clinics throughout the U.S.

Cerebral cortex –Cerebral cortex – Thinking, reasoning, 5 senses, personality, Thinking, reasoning, 5 senses, personality,

controlling certain movementscontrolling certain movements Cerebellum-Cerebellum- Coordination, balanceCoordination, balance Heroin slows breathing and can affect Heroin slows breathing and can affect

what portion of the brain?what portion of the brain? Brain stem (breathing, beating of heart)Brain stem (breathing, beating of heart) Limbic system known as the emotional Limbic system known as the emotional

brain-brain-

Understanding America’s Understanding America’s Infatuation with “pill-popping”Infatuation with “pill-popping”

Drug companies –enormous profitsDrug companies –enormous profits Medical community-journals largely Medical community-journals largely

financed by drug advertisementsfinanced by drug advertisements Doctors-relying on drugs as easiest, Doctors-relying on drugs as easiest,

fastest way to help patientsfastest way to help patients Patients-eager to take medications without Patients-eager to take medications without

asking questions, seeking painless ways asking questions, seeking painless ways to avoid problemsto avoid problems

Increasing use of Ritalin is becoming moreIncreasing use of Ritalin is becoming more

controversial-90% of the world’s Ritalincontroversial-90% of the world’s Ritalin

is used by the U.S. is used by the U.S.

Over 15 million Americans ages 12 and up Over 15 million Americans ages 12 and up have taken prescription drugs for have taken prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes nonmedical purposes