Problem 2 After every party I die Flashcards
Cocaine
o Constricts the blood vessels in the heart, which can cause heart attacks, seizures, pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs) or can rupture the aorta
o can lead to psychosis
o Neuro: blocks dopamine reuptake in the brain, stimulates production of neurotransmitter
Can lead to decreased number of dopamine receptors what makes life less enjoyable without the drug
Mephedrone
o 4-methylmethcathinone
o Synthetic version of the active component of khat
o Similar to amphetamine
Neurotransmitter Mephedrone
dopamine, noradrenalin and serotonin
Inhibits reuptake of these neurotransmitter
Effects of Mephedrone
Its subjective effects seem to be partway between ecstasy and cocaine – users say it increases their self-confidence and makes them more talkative (like cocaine), but also report feeling a greater sense of openness, appreciation of music and desire to dance, (similar to ecstasy)
Chemically it a mixture between MDMA and (meth)amphetamine
Relatively short and mild negative effects
Does not causes long term depression of neurotransmitters
Ritalin
o Dopamine reuptake inhibitor (blocking around 50% of dopamine transporters)
o It is not addictive if its taken in pills and doesn’t produces a high if it is used like prescribed
Chewing
o slowest route into the brain
o peaking after 1-2 hours after chewing begins
o harm: can develop tooth, gum and jaw problems
Drinking and eating
o Takes effect after ca. 30 minutes
o Delay makes it more complicated to choose the right dose
Rubbing
o Gums, eyelids and genitals
o Effective in 15-30 minutes
o Can cause infections ad necrosis
o Harm: if frequently rubbed into gums, the teeth can start to fall out because of cutted blood supply
Snorting
o Hits the brain in 3-5 minutes
o Harm: compulsive snorters can seriously damage their noses
shooting
o In veins: 10-20 seconds In muscle: 3-5 minutes
o Harm: skin and other bacterial infections, viruses such as hepatitis and HIV, and also thrombosis and the risk of sudden death
Smoking
o Hitting the brain in 10-20 seconds
o Harm: can cause respiratory problems such as asthma and emphysema
Inhaling
o Reach the brain within seconds and the heart even faster than that.
o Harms: can cause sudden death and breathing failure
Problem of NPS
• the longterm effects are widely unknown
NPS
are compounds designed to mimic existing and established recreational drugs such as “ecstasy” (MDMA) and cannabis
Stimulant NPS
o release dopamine and/or serotonin an/or noradrenalin
o can trigger the serotonin syndrome