Altered States of Consciousness
Jason Yakimiv and Matt Wood
Psychoactive Drugs
Chemical substance that changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood or consciousness
Stimulants
drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions
ex: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, and ecstasy
Depressants
drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions (alcohol and barbiturates)
Opiates
depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
Psychedelic Drugs
primary action to alter cognition and perception, agonism serotonin receptor
Tolerance
with repeated exposure to a drug, the drugs effect lessens therefore making user need more and vice versa for a person who doesn't use it
Withdrawl
upon stopping use of a drug (after addiction), users may experience the undesirable effects of withdrawal
Addiction
craving for a chemical substance, despite its adverse consequences (physical and psychological)
Dependence
absence of a drug may lead to a feeling of physical pain, intense cravings, and negative emotions