DRUG2
DRUG2
DRUG2
1. Learning Outcomes
2. Psychoactive Drugs: Introduction
3. History
4. Classification of Psychoactive Drugs
4.1 Narcotics
4.2 Stimulants
4.3 Depressants
4.4 Hallucinogens
5. Mode of Action
6. Summary
One of the first people to articulate this point of view, set aside from a medicinal context,
was American author Fitz Hugh Ludlow (1836–1870). In his book, The Hasheesh Eater,
he described the drugs and post-drug use experience as follows:
"Drugs are able to bring humans into the neighborhood of divine experience and can thus
carry us up from our personal fate and the everyday circumstances of our life into a
higher form of reality. It is, however, necessary to understand precisely what is meant by
the use of drugs. We do not mean the purely physical craving, That of what we say is
somewhat greatly advanced, specifically the knowledge of the probability of the soul to
go into into a lighter being, and a foretaste of deeper visions and more wonderful
hallucinations of the attractiveness, truth, and the heavenly than we are usually capable to
scout by the crashes in our prison cell. But there are not much drugs which has the
influence of calming such desire. The whole set, at least to the degree that investigation
has therefore far printed it, may comprise only opium, hashish, and in rare circumstances
alcohol, which has illuminating effects only on very specific characters."
This association is not restricted to humans. Numerous animals eat diverse psychoactive
plants, berries and even agitated fruits. Throughout the 20th century, several governments
crossways the world primarily replied to the use of recreational drugs by prohibiting them
and creating their usage and trade a criminal offense. However, several governments,
government officers and people in law enforcement have decided that illegal drug usage
cannot be adequately halted by criminalization.
4.1 NARCOTICS
The term is taken from Greek word narkotikos that means „a state of lethargy‟. This
category comprises of substances that act on the CNS and brings relief from pain and
produces sleep. The source of most analgesic narcotics is opium, a sticky milky juice
obtained from the unripe pod of poppy (Papaver somniferium). Example: Opium,
morphine, heroin, codeine, synthetic opiates, etc.
Codeine is also a derived from morphine but is less effective as analgesic. It acts as a
base in many pain relievers and cough remedies.
4.2 STIMULANTS
The drugs of this category are generally called “uppers” and comprises substances that
wake one up, stimulate the mind, and may even cause euphoria, but do not affect
perception. These are also referred in the terminology of “speed”. E.g., Amphetamines,
methamphetamines, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, etc
It is generally sniffed and is absorbed into the body by the mucous tissue of the nose. One
other form of cocaine which is quite popular is “crack”. It is manufactured by heating the
mixture of cocaine, baking soda and water. It is also snorted and produces similar effects
like cocaine.
4.3 DEPRESSANTS
The drugs of this category are called “downers” and include sedatives, hypnotics and
narcotics. This group comprises all of the tranquilizing, sleep-inducing, Stress-reducing,
sedating substances, which occasionally bring perceptual alterations, like dream pictures,
and also frequently induce sensation of euphoria. E.g., Alcoholic beverages (ethanol),
barbiturates, benzodiazepines, etc
Like alcohol, barbiturates act on Central Nervous System to suppress its vital functions so
relax, generate a sense of well being and produces sleep. Barbiturates are generally taken
by mouth. The average sedative dose is about 10-70 milligrams.
Some barbiturates are mixed more gently than others and are generally termed as “Long
acting barbiturates” like Phenobarbital. On the other side, certain barbiturates are
absorbed rather quickly and are termed as “Short acting barbiturates” like Pentobarbital,
Secobarbital, etc. Apparently, abusers prefer the faster acting ones.
The drugs of this category include psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants. This group
includes all those constituents that create dissimilar changes in normal thought processes,
perceptions and mood. There are various substances with varying chemical compositions
that have hallucinogenic properties.
LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid, a substance derivative of ergot, which is a type
of fungus that attacks certain type of grains. This is a very potent drug, only 25
micrograms is sufficient to start vivid visual hallucinations that may last for about 12
hours. This drug produces marked changes in mood, leading to laughing and crying at the
least aggravation. Feeling of anxiety and tension always accompanied LSD use.
On the other side, PCP is synthesized by quite a simple chemical process, thus ismuch
more easily available. It is frequently assorted with other drugs like LSD or
amphetamine, and is retailed as a powder “Angel Dust”, capsules or tablets, or as a
liquid. The drug is smoked, ingested or sniffed.
5. Mode of Action
Psychoactive drugs controls by provisionally disturbing an individual's neurochemistry,
resulting in alterations in a individual's mood, thought, insight and behavior. There are
several methods in which psychoactive drugs can distress the brain. Each drug has a
specific action on one or more neurotransmitter or neuro-receptor in the brain.
Exposure to a psychoactive substance can cause changes in the structure and functioning
of neurons, as the nervous system tries to re-establish the homeostasis disrupted by the
presence of the drug. Exposure to antagonists for a particular neurotransmitter increases
the number of receptors for that neurotransmitter, and the receptors themselves become
more sensitive. This is called sensitization. Conversely, overstimulation of receptors for a
particular neurotransmitter causes a decrease in both number and sensitivity of these
receptors, a process called desensitization or tolerance. Sensitization and desensitization
are more likely to occur with long-term exposure, although they may occur even after a
single exposure. These processes are thought to underlie dependence and addiction.
6. Summary