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Most drugs that affect behavior act through the nervous system, including the biochemical
aspects of that system (example: neurotransmitters), or less commonly, through the endocrine
system. Drugs are a part of almost all cultures, and have been used for centuries. The drugs that
will be discussed here are psychoactive drugs, or drugs that produce changes in consciousness. In
America, the three most widely used psychoactive drugs are caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.

 

Opiate drugs occur either naturally or are produced synthetically and have properties similar to
opium. These drugs include morphine, heroin, and codeine. Narcotics are often used as pain
killers, but heroin is also the major opiate of drug abusers. The risk level of using these drugs is
very high, and consequently, narcotic has come to mean "a habit-forming drug." Additionally, it
is often associated with sleazy and degenerate life-styles. Yet, narcotics can be extremely
valuable tools for health related fields.

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There are two types of addiction, physiological addiction, and psychological addiction.
Prolonged usage of any narcotic can result in physiological addiction. This is because the body
recognizes the addition of the opiate to the body and reduces its own production of endorphins,
thus causing a dearth of pain killers when the opiate is removed. Those who are addicted must
experience withdrawal before they can be rid of their need for the drug. Withdrawal symptoms
include chills, sweating, cramps, and nausea. Psychological addiction, on the other hand, is a
drug addiction based completely upon the pleasure experienced or because of a desire to avoid to
avoid pain. The two kinds of addiction are not easily separated, obviously.

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The most widely used depressant is alcohol. Depressants are drugs that have a general sedative
effect on the central nervous system. Alcohol clearly has this effect, although initially alcohol
reduces a person's inhibitions through action on the brain stem. Continuous drinking leads to
reduced alertness and impaired motor functioning. Dependency on alcohol is known as
alcoholism. Withdrawal from alcohol is characterized by delirium tremens, "the DTs," including
symptoms such as hallucinations, hyperactivity, irritability, headaches, fever, and nausea. Other
depressants include barbiturates, strong CNS depressants used to reduce anxiety or irritability.



Drugs known as stimulants have the principal effect of increasing arousal by facilitating CNS
release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine. Stimulants primarily include amphetamines
and cocaine.





Dexedrine, Benzedrine, and others are included in this group. These are known as "speed" or
"uppers". Amphetamines are used to stay awake, suppress appetite, relieve depression, and
provide a sense of well-being. After prolonged use, tolerance develops, and the high becomes
more and more difficult to establish. Additionally, some negative side effects, such as muscular
aches, develop at this point. Eventually, the person usually "crashes," in which they sleep for up
to several days, and upon awakening are usually depressed, apathetic, and fatigued. Chronic
users run the risk of brain damage, thought disturbances, hallucinations, high fever, convulsions,
and even death, usually from cardiovascular failure.

Amphetamines work by affecting serotonin and catecholamines three ways. First, they mimic the
action of the transmitter by causing the transmitter to leak out through the synaptic vesicles into
the synaptic cleft. Then, as the neuron is activated, the amount of the transmitter released by the
change in electric potential increases in volume. So, as a signal travels the axon, more of the
transmitter becomes available postsynaptically. Finally, amphetamines deactivate monoamine
oxidase, the enzyme that breaks down catecholamines, resulting in the transmitter staying in the
cleft longer, causing neural activation and behavioral stimulation.




Effects of cocaine are similar to amphetamines, but it works principally by blocking the reuptake
of dopamine, and lasts less time than amphetamines-usually 1 or 2 hours. It is sniffed into the
olfactory epithelium of the naval passages, and takes effect within 10 - 20 minutes.
Methods created to increase the psychoactive properties of the drug include:

á| Freebasing - using ether to remove HCL from the cocaine, which produces the free base,
which can be burned, producing a much more potent vapor.
á| Speedballing- mixing cocaine and heroin.
á| Crack- mixing cocaine HCL with a solution of common baking soda, and letting the
water evaporate. Remaining is chunks or "rocks" that may be heated in pipes and the
vapors inhaled. Crack produces reactions that are difficult to control, making it more
 dangerous than many of the other procedures designed to enhance the rush associated
with cocaine use.






Caffeine and nicotine have typically slight power in altering consciousness, but their effects vary
among individuals. Caffeine is consumed as part of coffee, tea, and cola. Nicotine is consumed
via smoking, is not necessarily the most harmful substance involved in smoking. However,
nicotine produces an addiction that is both psychological and physiological. Withdrawal
symptoms include increased irritability, lack of concentration, tremors, and heart palpitations.





Hallucinogens are substances that radically distort the perception of reality, producing vivid
hallucinations. This category of drugs includes LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), PCP (Angel dust), and
Marijuana (to a lesser extent). How these drugs work is not fully understood, although there is
evidence that they interfere with the neurotransmitter serotonin. Continued use of hallucinogenic
drugs leads to tolerance.

 
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A number of deaths have been attributed to its use when users have jumped off buildings
thinking they could fly, etc. Some users report spiritually natured experiences, but some also
report no effects at all. Some people experience terrifying hallucinations and suffer
psychological disturbances after the effects of the drug have worn off. Also, hallucinations may
return after the drug use has stopped. These reoccurances of hallucinations are called flashbacks.

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MDMA is a "designer drug" invented by a major drug house, also called Ecstacy. It did not come
onto the drug scene until the 1960s. MDMA is reported to induce a sense of warmth and well-
being, but was later found to produce toxic side effects, and even death. The drug was later
banned, which did not stop the illegal use of it.


First used as anesthetic for humans, but later used strictly for animals because of the
hallucinations and disorientation caused in humans. The most common symptom experienced in
moderate doses is depersonalization, which causes the person to feel estranged from others and
from the environment. Violent behavior in PCP users is not uncommon, even in people who are
inherently non-violent.

 


Marijuana is without a doubt the most popular hallucinogen, also known as "pot", "grass", and
"weed." In 1962, 4% of the population had used Marijuana, but by 1980, 68% had used it at one
point or another. The drug comes from the plant Cannabis sativa, which grows in most parts of
the world. Effects from the drug vary according to its quality, or THC content. Low to moderate
doses do not produce hallucinations, only high dosages do. Instead, the person typically reports
feelings of calmness, increased sensory awareness, changes in space and time, and increased
appetite, often craving sweets. At higher dosages, however, the person may experience thought
disturbances, rapid emotional changes, a loss of attention, and a sense of panic.|