Understanding Drugs and Their Effects

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Questions and Answers

Which category does alcohol fall under?

Narcotics

Antimicrobials

Recreational drugs (correct)

Medicinal drugs

Drugs can be addictive mainly due to their effects on the brain's award system.

True

What term is used to describe the negative feelings experienced when a person stops taking a drug?

withdrawal symptoms

The part of the brain that continues to develop into your 20s is the __________.

prefrontal cortex Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of drugs with their classification:

Opiates = Medicinal drugs Stimulants = Recreational drugs Marijuana = Recreational drugs Antibiotics = Medicinal drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a stimulant?

Cocaine Signup and view all the answers

Depressants increase activity in parts of the brain and body.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of opioids?

They decrease sensations of pain. Signup and view all the answers

To decrease activity in parts of the brain and body, one might consume a __________.

depressant Signup and view all the answers

Match the substance with its classification:

Cocaine = Stimulant Heroin = Depressant LSD = Hallucinogen Amphetamines = Stimulant Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a short-term effect of alcohol?

Brain damage Signup and view all the answers

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to developmental problems.

True Signup and view all the answers

List one example of a hallucinogen.

LSD or DMT Signup and view all the answers

What effect do opioids NOT have?

Increased appetite Signup and view all the answers

Hallucinogens can induce the experience of seeing and hearing things that are not present.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential negative effects of high doses of marijuana?

Sickness and paranoia Signup and view all the answers

Nicotine can lower appetite and improve __________.

memory Signup and view all the answers

Match the following substances with their primary effects:

Opioids = Lack of pain, relaxation, shallow breathing Hallucinogens = Hallucinations, altered perception Marijuana = Increased appetite, feeling happy Nicotine = Improved alertness, lower appetite Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an effect associated with nicotine use?

Shallow breathing Signup and view all the answers

Marijuana contains exclusively stimulant chemicals.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are two major health risks associated with nicotine?

Increased blood pressure and lung disease Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drugs

A drug is any chemical substance that changes the way the body works, often affecting the nervous system.

Learning Goals

Identify and classify various drugs, including alcohol, nicotine products, opiates, stimulants, marijuana, and hallucinogens.
Describe the impact of alcohol on health.
Describe the effects of nicotine products on health.

Recap- Stress

Two examples of non-communicable diseases where long-term stress is a risk factor (not listed).

Drugs (General)

Defining Drugs: A drug is any chemical substance that alters the body's functions, often targeting the nervous system.

Drugs: Examples

The presentation lists a variety of drug types, including hallucinogens, stimulants, depressants and opioids.

Drugs and Addiction

Drugs can be addictive due to their stimulation of the brain's "reward system".
Teenagers are more susceptible to addiction than adults because their brains are still developing.

Drugs: Dependency

Dependency: Taking drugs leads to the body and brain adapting to the drug's effects.
This is known as dependency, where the body attempts to counteract drug effects leading to withdrawal symptoms.

Classification of Drugs

Medicinal drugs—used to treat diseases or symptoms (e.g., painkillers, antibiotics).
Recreational drugs—used for pleasure or leisure (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, ecstasy, caffeine).
Classification by effect (nervous system impact):
Stimulants: Increase brain and body activity (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines).
Depressants: Decrease brain and body activity (e.g., alcohol, heroin).
Painkillers: Decrease pain sensations (e.g., opioids, heroin).
Hallucinogens: Alter perception (e.g., LSD, DMT).
Marijuana classification: Often a blend of effects making categorization difficult. Contains stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Chemical components like THC and CBD are noted.

Stimulants

Effects of stimulants: Increase energy levels, happiness, and focus. Specifically affect : attention, alertness, awareness, confidence.
Examples include cocaine, amphetamines.
Specific examples of different stimulants and their effects on various aspects of brain function are provided .

Depressants- Alcohol

Effects: Slow down the nervous system, noted are short-term (poor judgment, slow reaction times, loss of memory, movement issues).
Long-term effects: Liver damage, brain damage, increased stroke risk.
Risks during pregnancy: Miscarriages, and developmental problems, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Additional damages caused by alcohol use are detailed, including medical expenses, sick leave, and societal impacts like family tragedies, reduced productivity and various health issues

Pain Killers- Opioids

Effects: Pain relief, feelings of pleasure, shallow breathing, constipation, relaxation and sleep.
Addiction and overdose risks—Overuse leads to dependency, the need for increasing doses for the same effect, overdosing, and breathing arrest.

Hallucinogens

Effects: Alter perceptions, creating hallucinations (seeing and hearing things differently).
Uses in research - some research is being done to help individuals with PTSD

Marijuana

Description: A drug that has a mix of stimulant, depressant, and hallucinogen effects.
Effects: Happy + relaxed, talkative, things seem interesting, increased appetite.
Negative effects (at higher doses): Sickness and paranoia, existing mental problems may be aggravated.

Nicotine

Effects: Reduced appetite, increased mood, better alertness and memory.
Negative health impacts: Increased blood pressure (linked to heart disease and stroke), and accelerated plaque buildup in arteries (linked to stroke or heart attack).
Types of Nicotine use: Smoking, Vaping & Snusing are explicitly mentioned and their associated risks.

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Description

This quiz explores various types of drugs, including hallucinogens, stimulants, and opiates. It covers their impacts on health and the risks of addiction, particularly among teenagers. Test your knowledge about drug classifications and the physiological effects they have on the body.