Drugs

Question 1

Define stimulant

Answer 1

Substance which arouses or accelerates activities

Question 2

Give examples of stimulants

Answer 2

Cocaine
Amphetamine (speed) and amphetamine derivatives
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Nicotine

Question 3

Define psychostimulant

Answer 3

Stimulates the brain

Question 4

Amphetamine is also known as…

Answer 4

Speed

Question 5

Methamphetamine is also known as…

Answer 5

Ice

Question 6

MDMA is also known as…

Answer 6

Ecstasy

Question 7

Methylphenidate is also known as…

Answer 7

Ritalin

Question 8

Define narcotic

Answer 8

Substance which induces narcosis (sleep/stupor) -> numbs

Question 9

Examples of narcotics

Answer 9

Opium, heroin, morphine
Methadone
Fentanyl
Hydromorphone
Meperidine
Codeine

Question 10

Define hallucinogen

Answer 10

Substance which produces hallucinations

Question 11

Examples of hallucinogens

Answer 11

MDMA
LSD
DOI
Phencyclidine - "Angel dust"
Psilocybin - "Magic mushroom"
Mescaline - peyote cactus

Question 12

Phencyclidine is also known as…

Answer 12

Angel dust

Question 13

Phencyclidine is classified as…

Answer 13

An hallucinogen

Question 14

Psilocybin is also known as…

Answer 14

Magic Mushroom

Question 15

Psilocybin is classified as…

Answer 15

An hallucinogen

Question 16

Mescaline comes from…

Answer 16

Peyote cactus

Question 17

Mescaline is classified as…

Answer 17

An hallucinogen

Question 18

Opium, heroin and morphine are all…

Answer 18

Narcotics

Question 19

Methadone is classified as…

Answer 19

A narcotic

Question 20

Fentanyl is classified as…

Answer 20

A narcotic

Question 21

Hydromorphone, meperidine and codeine are classified as…

Answer 21

Narcotics

Question 22

The amphetamines are classified as…

Answer 22

Stimulants

Question 23

What is the name of the reward pathway?

Answer 23

Mesolimbic dopamine pathway

Question 24

What does the reward pathway (mesolimbic dopamine pathway) consist of (nuclei)?

Answer 24

Nucleus accumbens (NA)
Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Question 25

What makes a substance rewarding?

Answer 25

The ability to increase dopamine in the nucleus accumbens

Question 26

What relationship does dopamine have with anticipation?

Answer 26

The anticipation of reward produces a large increase in dopamine levels.

Question 27

What are the major short-term effects of stimulants?

Answer 27

Euphoria/well-being Increased alertness Increased self-confidence Increased energy

Question 28

How does cocaine act?

Answer 28

Cocaine blocks the DAT (dopamine transporter), increasing the dopamine in the synaptic cleft

Question 29

How do amphetamines act?

Answer 29

Amphetamines increase extracellular monoamines by reversing VMAT. Methamphetamine reverses DAT and VMAT, inhibiting MAO

Question 30

What is DAT?

Answer 30

Dopamine transporter - dopamine reuptake

Question 31

What is VMAT?

Answer 31

Vesicular monoamine transport

Question 32

What is MAO?

Answer 32

Monoamine oxidase

Question 33

How does ecstasy (type of amphetamine) act?

Answer 33

Reverses SERT

Question 34

What is SERT?

Answer 34

Serotonin transporter

Question 35

What are the side effects of stimulant use?

Answer 35

``` Seizures Depression/anxiety Paranoia Psychosis Neurotoxicity ```

Question 36

What is the active constituent of cannabis?

Answer 36

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

Question 37

How does cannabis work?

Answer 37

THC binds to cannabinoid receptors to increase DA release in NA

Question 38

How do cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, cannabis, nicotine and alcohol increase DA in the nucleus accumbens?

Answer 38

``` Cocaine - block DAT Amphetamines - reverse DAT MDMA - reverse SERT Cannabis - cannabinoid receptors Nicotine - nicotinic receptors Alcohol - GABA-A & NMDA receptors ```

Question 39

What happens to serotonin terminals after prolonged MDMA (ecstasy) use?

Answer 39

Degeneration of serotonin nerve terminals. Very slow regeneration. Leads to chronic depressive/anxious states

Question 40

What effect does prolonged MDMA use have on dopamine neurons?

Answer 40

Neurotoxicity esp. in basal ganglia, leading to Parkinson's-like symptoms

Question 41

What is addiction?

Answer 41

A state characterised by a compulsion to take drugs continuously or periodically to experience rewarding effects and avoid the discomfort of its absence.

Question 42

Describe physical dependence on a drug.

Answer 42

To stop taking the drug produces withdrawal symptoms e.g. sweating, aches and pains, muscle spasms

Question 43

Describe psychological dependence on a drug.

Answer 43

Craving of the drug during abstinence