DRUGS EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN

PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS

• A psychoactive drug has chemicals that
• Can stimulate or repress parts of the brain
• to try and change behaviors

ANESTHETICS

AGONISTS

WHAT'S A NEUROTRANSMITTER?

• Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transfer signals
• From a neuron to a target cell across a synapse

ANTAGONISTS

HALLUCINOGENS

COMMON HALLUCINOGENS

• Mescaline
• Psilocybin
• LSD (asid)
• Cannabis (marijuana)
• PCP

COMMON EFFECTS

• Alter your consciousness
• Distorted perceptions, disembodied sense, insensitive to pain
• Higher emotional responses

OPIATES

COMMON DRUGS

• Morphine
• Heroin
• Codeine
• Methadone

COMMON EFFECTS

• Suppresses sensations
• Suppresses responses
• Euphoria
• Drowsiness

DEPRESSANTS

COMMON DRUGS

• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Valium & Xanax
• Rohypnol
• Alcohol

COMMON EFFECTS

• Sedation
• Reduce anxiety
• Lowers coordination

STIMULANTS

COMMON DRUGS

• Amphetamines (adderall)
• Methamphetamine
• MDMA (ecstasy)
• Cocaine
• Nicotine

COMMON EFFECTS