Learning Target:

Discuss the influence of drugs on neurotransmitters.

AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2020. (n.d.). https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-psychology-course-and-exam-description.pdf

Drugs and Consciousness

Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that change a person's moods and perceptions. They can alter one's arousal, thinking, sensation, and perception.

Psychoactive drugs produce both physiological and psychological effects.

Four categories of psychoactive drugs:

1. Depressants
2. Opiates
3. Stimulants
4. Psychedelic drugs Biologically they influence many different bodily systems and their effects on the brain produce consciousness-altering experiences. Think back to the Neuroscience module when we learned how drugs can influence brain activity by increasing or decreasing the number of neurotransmitters in the synapse. Long-term changes to brain structure can be produced by chronic use. Psychologically the response to a drug can be dependent on a person's personality characteristics, mood, environmental factors, and previous experiences with the drug. Psychologically people will also use a drug to relieve emotions.

People who use drugs develop a physical dependence in which both the body and the brain have adapted to the drug. With prolonged drug use, people begin to build up what is called drug tolerance (the diminishing effect of regular doses of the same drug). Once this happens, if the drug is taken away the person will experience withdrawal symptoms which include physical pain and intense cravings for the drug.

There are four broad categories of psychoactive drugs:

Depressants - Depressants are a class of drugs that slow down the sympathetic nervous system. They disrupt memory processing and reduce self-awareness. Depressants are also known to relieve anxiety and lower inhibitions.
Opiates - Opiates are a group of drugs that relieve pain and produce feelings of euphoria for the user. They have powerful effects on the body by mimicking the brain's natural painkillers, called endorphins. Long-term use prevents the brain from making its own natural opiates causing these drugs to be highly addictive.
Stimulants - Stimulants vary in strength and some are legal. They speed up body functions, increase heart rate and breathing, and are all at least mildly addictive.
Psychedelic drugs - Psychedelic drugs create euphoria, and feelings of detachment, and distort perceptions. They are known to evoke vivid images in the absence of sensory input.

Learn more about drugs of abuse in the activity below.

Please take a moment to view the video below on the risk factors of drug abuse. The video will run for approximately 12 minutes.

After reading the information above, completing the activity, and viewing the video presentation, take a moment to complete the following activity.

Agonists and Antagonists

Agonists are drugs or chemicals that enhance or mimic the activity of a neurotransmitter, thereby increasing the overall effect of the neurotransmitter. They bind to the receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, triggering the same response as the natural neurotransmitter. This can lead to increased stimulation of the nervous system, resulting in effects such as improved mood, increased alertness, or pain relief.

Antagonists, on the other hand, are drugs or chemicals that inhibit or block the activity of a neurotransmitter by binding to the receptor without triggering a response. This prevents the natural neurotransmitter from binding to the receptor, reducing or eliminating its effects. Antagonists can have a range of effects, including reducing anxiety, decreasing pain, or slowing down certain bodily functions.

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