What kind of drugs effect our brains? How do they effect them? Read below to find out.
Agonists vs. Antagonists
Agonists: drugs that occupy receptors and activate them Antagonists: drugs that occupy receptors and block receptor activation
Full Activation = Normal Brain
Less Activation = Mild cases of ADHD and Anxiety
No Activation = Severe cases of ADHD and Anxiety
Depressant: a drug that reduces functional or nervous activity
Alcohol
Opium
Morphine
Heroine
Oxycodone
Popular depressants include Xanax, Valium. Opioids are one of the most common types of prescription drugs that are abused(oxycodone, morphine). Doctors prescribe opioids to patients who have recently had surgery and may be in pain.
Stimulant: a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body.
Caffeine
Nicotine
Amphetamine
Nicotine
Cocaine
Methamphetamine
Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are common. They are meant to speed up activities in the body by enhancing alertness, concentration, and energy. They’re prescribed by doctors to treat conditions such as ADHD, narcolepsy, and depression.
Hallucinogen: a drug that causes hallucinations Classic:
Marijuana
LSD
Peyote
Dissociate:
PCP
Ketamine
Hallucinogens are drugs that alter a person's awareness and cause hallucinations. Some are extracted from plants and some are synthetic. Dissociative drugs can cause users to feel out of body or disconnected from their body and the environment. Historically, people have used them for religious rituals, but are now used for social or recreational purposes.
Dopamine: pleasure, extrinsic rewards, motor function, compulsion