Stimulants And Depressants

Question 1

Psychoactive drugs

Answer 1

Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that a ect the nervous system and brain activity. Includes stimulants and depressants.

Question 2

Depressants

Answer 2

Depressants decrease (depress) nervous system activity and alertness. Includes alcohol and barbiturates.

Question 3

General effect of alcohol on behaviour

Answer 3

> Lowered alertness
> Inhibitions reduced
> Balance and coordination impaired 
> Reflexes and reaction times slowed 
> Visual attention impaired

Question 4

Effects of alcohol on driver performance

Answer 4

> Difficulty judging distances
Decreased ability to respond to several stimuli
Slower reaction times
Overestimation of one’s ability leads to reckless driving
Very poor peripheral vision

Question 5

Effect of depressants on brain activity

Answer 5

They tend to decrease levels of alertness and can increase the presence of lower frequency higher amplitude brainwaves, such as delta, theta and alpha.

Question 6

Stimulants

Answer 6

Stimulants increase (stimulate) nervous system activity and increase alertness. They also increase autonomic nervous system activity, such as blood pressure and heart rate. Some stimulants, including nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines, are highly addictive and pose very serious and life threatening side effects.

Question 7

Effect of stimulants on brain activity

Answer 7

they tend to increase the level of alertness and the presence of higher frequency lower amplitude brainwaves, such as alpha, beta and gamma.