Biological Psychology PSYC 223 Session 3

Course Information

• Course title: Biological Psychology
• Course code: PSYC 223
• Lecturer: Dr. Adote Anum
• Contact information: [email protected]
• University: University of Ghana
• College: College of Education
• School: School of Continuing and Distance Education
• Academic years: 2014/2015 - 2016/2017

Session 3 Overview

• The session is focused on drug activity in the nervous system
• Drug activity in the nervous system has similar effects to neurotransmitters.
• Different classifications of drugs, active compounds, and behavioral effects will be discussed.

Session Outline

• Drug classification
• Drug activity in the synapse
• Stimulant drugs
• Depressant drugs
• Hallucinogenic drugs

Reading List

• Kalat, J. W. (201x). Biological Psychology 9th Edition. Pages 70-78
• Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2013). An Introduction to Brain and Behavior, 4th Edition. McMillan Learning.

Topic 1: Drug Activity in the Nervous System

Classification of Psychoactive Drugs

• Sedative Hypnotics and Anti-anxiety Agents: Causes drowsiness and relaxes, e.g., Valium
• Antipsychotic Agents: Treats psychotic disorders, e.g., phenothiazine
• Antidepressants: Treats depression, e.g., Fluxetine
• Mood Stabilizers: Treats mood disorders, e.g., lithium, carbamazepine
• Narcotic Analgesics: Pain killers that stop pain in the brain, e.g., morphine
• Psychomotor Stimulants: Psychomotor stimulants, e.g., cocaine
• Psychedelics and Hallucinogens: Causes hallucinations, distorts reality, e.g., LSD, cannabis

Topic 2: Drugs and the Synapse

• Drugs influence neural communication at the Synapse.
• Drugs can either facilitate or inhibit synaptic activity
• Antagonistic drugs block neurotransmitters' effects, e.g., novacaine, caffeine.
• Agonist drugs mimic or increase neurotransmitter effects, e.g., heroin, LSD, cocaine.
• Drugs influence various stages of synaptic processing.

Specific Mechanisms of Drug Action

• Drugs influence neurotransmitters in various ways:
  • Increasing synthesis
  • Causing vesicles to leak
  • Increasing release
  • Decreasing reuptake
  • Blocking breakdown into inactive chemicals
  • Directly stimulating or blocking postsynaptic receptors

Topic 3: Stimulant Drugs

• Stimulant drugs increase excitement, alertness, motor activity, and elevate mood.
• Examples: amphetamines, cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), MDMA (Ecstasy), nicotine
• Stimulant drugs directly stimulate dopamine receptor types D2, D3, and D4.
• Amphetamines increase dopamine release.
• Cocaine blocks dopamine reuptake.
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin) blocks dopamine reuptake more gradually.
• Nicotine stimulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, found in the central nervous system and nerve-muscle junctions.

Topic 4: Depressant Drugs

• Depressants reduce arousal in the nervous system.
• Mechanisms:
  • Block receptors for excitatory neurotransmitters
  • Prevent the activity of excitatory neurotransmitters
• Examples:
  • Barbiturates
  • Alcohol
  • Benzodiazepines

Topic 5: Hallucinogenic Drugs

• Psychedelic drugs alter sensory perception and cognitive processes.
• May cause hallucinations or enhance perceptions.
• Common types:
  • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): Active ingredient in marijuana, attaches to cannabinoid receptors.
  • Serotonin psychedelics (e.g., LSD)
  • Norepinephrine psychedelics (e.g., mescaline).

This quiz focuses on drug activity in the nervous system, examining how various psychoactive drugs influence neurotransmitter function. Topics include classifications of drugs and their behavioral effects. Utilize knowledge from the readings by Kalat and Kolb & Whishaw to ace this assessment.