Psychoactive Drugs
By Nick and Tom
What Are Psychoactive Drugs and What Do They Do?
Psychoactive Drugs are drugs capable of influencing perception, mood, cognition and other behaviors. There are various kinds of Psychoactive drugs such as Stimulants, Depressants, and Opiates. All have a level of tolerance for the individual taking it and a withdraw effect to each.
Stimulants
Did you know that caffeine is an example of a stimulant? That's right, the coffee you drink in the morning on your morning commute is actually a drug-induced product. Drugs that speed up activity in the central nervous system. Examples of this drug type include cocaine, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy, nicotine. Many who have abused stimulant drugs may experience withdrawal symptoms for up to two weeks after discontinuing their use. Symptoms that an individual suffering from withdrawal from stimulants can include depression and emotional agitation.
Depressants
Did you know that alcohol is an example of a depressant? Depressants are Drugs that slow down activity in the central nervous system. Examples of this drug include Valium, Atavan, and Xanax. Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, weakness and nausea.
Physical Effects | Marijuana
Opiates
Drugs that are derived from the opian poppy that relieve pain and commonly produce euphoria. Examples include Heroin, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone. Withdrawl symptoms may include Low energy, Irritability, Anxiety, Agitation, Insomnia, Runny nose, Teary eyes, Hot and cold sweats, Goose bumps, Yawning, Muscle aches and pains.
Psychedelic Drugs
These concious alteraing drugs change thought processes, disrupt the normal perception of time, and create hallucinations. Examples include LSD, Mescaline, and Salvia. People using LSD can safely stop taking it without experiencing any physical symptoms of withdrawl.
Withdrawl
Physical and Psychological symptoms that an individual will suffer from if he/she removes a drug from their lifestyle. These symptoms can vary depending on the drug but some symptoms may be dangerous. If an addict is going thorugh withdrawl, seek medical supervision and assistance becuase going "cold-turkey" can be potentially life threatening depending on the severity of the addicition.
Addicition
When a drug manipulates the brain and causes an individual to crave said drug. These cravings can overtake a person's life and can seriously impact a person's quality of life and lifestyle.
Dependence
Drug dependence is the body's physical need, or addiction, to a specific agent. An individual will require the drug to feel well. If a dependent person no longer has access to the drug, they will most likely go through withdrawl.
Tolerance
When a subject's reaction to a specific drug and concentration of the drug is reduced followed repeated use, requiring an increase in concentration to achieve the desired effect. Tolerance can lead to reckless behavior when it comes to drug intake.