Overview
This lecture reviews common psychoactive substances, their effects, medical uses, risks, and potential for abuse or addiction.
Common Psychoactive Substances
- Cannabis (marijuana) is used for relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, and anti-nausea but also has risks.
- Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, causing relaxation and lowered inhibitions; overuse can cause addiction and liver damage.
- Nicotine is found in tobacco, is highly addictive, and can cause lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
- Heroin is an illegal opioid causing euphoria and pain relief but leads to addiction and severe health/social issues.
- Methamphetamine (meth) is a strong stimulant causing addiction and cardiovascular, dental, and mental problems.
- PCP is a dissociative causing hallucinations, delirium, and dangerous behaviors with lasting mental effects.
- Steroids (anabolic-androgenic) are synthetic testosterone, sometimes abused in sports, leading to cardiovascular issues and mood swings.
- Nitrous oxide gives brief euphoria and altered perception; heavy use may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Psilocybin mushrooms ("shrooms") cause hallucinations and altered perception; generally low physical risk but possible psychological effects.
- LSD is a potent hallucinogen causing long-lasting perception changes; long-term psychological effects are unclear.
- MDMA increases euphoria, energy, and emotional warmth but can cause dehydration and high body temperature.
- Lean combines codeine cough syrup, soda, and candy, leading to sedation, addiction, and respiratory depression.
- DMT is a powerful, short-acting hallucinogen with intense effects and potential unknown psychological risks.
- Cocaine is a stimulant that increases energy and euphoria, with risks of addiction and cardiovascular problems.
- Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic causing hallucinations; misuse can result in disorientation and cognitive issues.
- MDA is a psychedelic amphetamine similar to MDMA but may have stronger hallucinogenic properties; long-term effects not fully known.
- Salvia divinorum is a hallucinogenic plant causing short, intense altered perception; long-term effects unclear.
- Kratom is a Southeast Asian plant with stimulant or sedative effects and potential for addiction.
- GHB is a depressant causing relaxation and euphoria with risk of respiratory failure at high doses.
- DXM is a cough suppressant that can cause dissociation and hallucinations in high doses, with unpredictable effects.
- NBOMe ("N-bombs") are potent synthetic hallucinogens with high risk of toxic overdose and severe side effects.
- Spice/K2 are synthetic cannabinoids causing unpredictable and dangerous effects.
- Krokodil is a synthetic opioid causing severe tissue damage and health issues.
- Bath salts are synthetic stimulants causing increased energy and severe health risks.
- Ayahuasca is a DMT-containing brew causing prolonged hallucinogenic effects and physical side effects.
- LSA from morning glory seeds can cause hallucinations but also nausea and vomiting.
- Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid with extreme overdose risk.
- Datura ("jimson weed") contains hallucinogens but is highly toxic and dangerous.
- Poppers (amyl nitrite) are inhalants causing a brief head rush and euphoria with some health risks.
- Xanax is a benzodiazepine for anxiety that can be addictive and dangerous if misused.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Psychoactive — A substance that alters mood, perception, or brain function.
- Stimulant — A drug that increases nervous system activity and alertness.
- Depressant — A drug that slows down the central nervous system.
- Hallucinogen — A drug that causes perceptual distortions or hallucinations.
- Opioid — A substance that acts on opioid receptors for pain relief and euphoria.
- Dissociative — A drug that distorts perceptions of sight and sound and produces feelings of detachment.
- Addiction — A chronic condition characterized by compulsive drug use despite negative consequences.
- Overdose — Taking a harmful or lethal amount of a substance.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review major drug categories and associated health risks.
- Prepare for quiz on definitions and effects of selected substances.