Drugs
- Created by: alexda
- Created on: 04-05-14 14:29
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- Drugs
- A drugs is a chemical substance that affects the Central Nervous System by causing changes in psychological behavior and lead to possible addiction.
- Drugs are used for two purposes: medicinal and recreational purposes.
- Tolerance develops with some drugs which means the body gets used to having it so you need a higher dose to give the same effect.
- Some people can get addicted to drugs which means that they have a physical need for the drug.
- 1. Stimulants e.g. nicotine and caffeine
- Stimulants increase the activity in the brain and the speed of reactions (decreased reaction time) by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters at synapses in the brain.
- Stimulants cause: increased alertness, improved memory or endurance, reduced appetite.
- Disadvantages: addiction, feeling down and tired when use withdrawn, decreased inhibition, raised hear rate blood pressure.
- 2. Depressants e.g. alcohol and barbiturates
- Depressants slow down the activity of the brain and the speed of reactions (increased reaction time) by reducing the amount of neurotransmitters at synapses in the brain.
- Uses: reduces stress, helps sleep, barbiturates helps to treat epilepsy.
- Disadvantages: addiction, users can become tolerant so higher doses needed, poor judgement
- 3. Painkillers e.g. Morphine, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen
- Painkillers block or slow down the impulses in part of the brain dealing with the pain. Aspirin blocks impulses at the site of the pain.
- Disadvantages: addiction, tolerance, high doses can damage vital organs.
- Uses: pain relief, give user a high
- 4. Hallucinogens e.g. LSD, Magic mushrooms
- Hallucinogens distort sense and disrupt normal brain function by altering pathway nerve impulses normally travel along.
- Disadvnatges: depression, injury of death by misadventure, permanently altered mental state
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