Lecture 10 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Prolonged exposure to some of drugs may then lead to…
- Physical dependence (physiological/psychological need to continue taking the drug)
- Tolerance (require greater doses to obtain the desired effect – reduced response to the normal dose)
- Withdrawal (discomfort or distress that follows discontinuation of drug – effects are usually the opposite of the drug taken)
A novel psychoactive substance is…
a new term used to describe a large group of drugs that are meant to mimic the effects of more commonly known drugs such as amphtemaines, cocaine, opiates, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). With many new
identifications appearing monthly, the number of these drugs has grown significantly in recent years. Therapeutic, toxic, and/or lethal concentrations overlap, and drug interactions are not well known. Caution should be used when interpreting their potential role in deaths, taking into account the circumstances surrounding death. Novel psychoactive substances can be sedating, stimulating, or hallucinogenic compounds. The main classes of these drugs can be separated into synthetiannabing. synthetic stimulants and hallucinogens, and syntheopioids.
During the 1970s-1980s the recreational drugs…
now considered the traditional drugs - were drugs such as heroin and magic mushrooms. Over the years different drugs appeared on the market as people started to look for alternatives to the traditional drugs in an attempt to avoid prosecution.
The NPS market
The NPS market started in 2001. The initial NPS were BZP and methylone, soon followed by mephedrone.
These NPS were produced in clandestine (secret) labs and sold on the black market as a replacement for MDMA – commonly referred to as ‘ecstasy’, or cocaine, or heroin. These NPS could be sold on the streets
without any legal implications, or over the internet – “legal highs”.
What are stimulants
Stimulants are drugs which speed up the bodys functions and central nervous system.
Effects of stimulants
*Increased heart rate
*Elevated blood pressure
*Feeling more alert and awake
*Acting out of character
*Seizures
*Anxiety or panic
*Headaches
*Nausea or vomiting
*Aggression and paranoia
Examples of stimulants
*Amphetamines (indlcuing crystal methamphetamine)
*Caffeine
*Cocaine
*Ecstasy
*Nicotine
What are depressants
Depressants are drugs which slow down the body’s functions and central nervous system
Effects of depressants
*Feeling tired, fatigued, relaxed or lethargic
*Acting out of character
*Unconsciousness
*Vomiting
*Death
Examples of depressants
*Alcohol
*Benzodiazepines
*Cannabis
*Heroin
*Kava
*Opioids
*Sedatives
What are hallucinogens
Hallucinogenic drugs alter a persons perception of reality. They can make the user see, hear, feel or experience things that are not really there.
Effects of hallucinogens
*Mood changes
*Elevated heart rate
*Aggression/ paranoia
*Loss of contact with reality
*Irrational and bizarre behaviour
*Anxiety
*Acting out of character
*Depression
The facial effects of stimulant
drugs
*Dilated pupils of eyes
*Wide-open eyelids, jerky eyes
*Flushed/hot-looking skin
*Clenched jaw, teeth-grinding
*Muscle-rippling, lip-chewing
The facial effects of depressant
drugs
*Pinned (constricted) pupils
*Sagging/droopy eyelids
*Paler complexion
*Relaxed facial muscles
*Nodding head (gouching)
Opioids
Opioids is an umbrella term. Opioids cover any substance that acts upon opioid receptors within our bodies.
There are naturally derived opioids, these are called opiates. Opiates include drugs such as morphine, codeine, thebaine. The opiates are found in the opium poppy
These opiates can be isolated and undergo a slight chemical alteration, e.g. heroin. Heroin is an example of a semi-synthetic opioid. It is created by adding two acetyl groups to the opiate, morphine.
These exogenous (external) opioids act on the same receptors in our bodies that our endogenous (internal) opioids do.
Our endogenous opioids are the neurotransmitters…
enkephalins, dynorphins, endorphins, endomorphins.
These neurotransmitters fall under the neuropeptide classification, which means they can only be made in the cell body of the nerve cell, not anywhere like the other neurotransmitters.
These endogenous opioids cannot be as quickly replenished if they are effected by toxins that cause neuronopathy or axonopathy. The endogenous opioids are our bodies pain control mechanism, and is involved in reward pathways.
Synthetic opioids
fentanyls –are the most problematic synthetic opioids being sold. Users do not realise that these fentanyls are far more potent that heroin and are taking the same doses resulting in death by respiratory failure. In some cases, users are unaware that they are consuming the fentanyls.
Fake Xanax tablets (should contain benzodiazepines – another central nervous system depressant) actually contain potent fentanyls (pictured) and were a cause of over 80 deaths last year.
How much drug is required to get the desired effect?
- Codeine- 120 mg
- Methadone- 10 mg
- Heroin- 3 mg
- Fentanyl- 0.125 mg
- Sufentanil- 0.010 mg
- Etorphine- 0.005 mg
- Carfentanil- 0.0001 mg
Effects of opioids
Effects:
* Analgesia – pain relief
* Miosis – pin prick pupils
* Bradycardia – slow heart rate
* Hypothermia – lowered body temperature, controlled by the hypothalamus – blood vessels dilate
* Constipation – caused by opioids binding to
receptors in the gastrointestinal tract – inhibits peristalsis (involuntary bowel movements that occur in the intestines that propels digested products)
* Changes in mood – opioids cause euphoria.
(this is the reason that opioids may be misused)
* Physical dependence
* Respiratory depression (Dose-dependent)
Overall opioid effect: reduction of cell membrane excitability, slowing of cell firing, inhibition of neurotransmitter release.
Naloxone
Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the
effects of opioids, such as heroin, methadone, opium, codeine, morphine, and buprenorphine. A naloxone dose can even save someone’s life if it’s used quickly after they’ve overdosed on opioids and before emergency help arrives.
Three important subspecies of cannabis
plant
Cannabis sativa (has the greatest THC content)
Cannabis indica
Cannabis ruderalis
Cannabinoids are substances that act on…
cannabis receptors within our bodies, and cause depressant effects.
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
(THC is the psychoactive element)
Cannabidiol (CBD)
(CBD has antipsychotic properties)
Endogenous and exogenous
cannabinoids
While THC is an example of an
exogenous cannabinoid, we have
endogenous cannabinoids, namely 2-AG
and anandamide.
These endogenous and exogenous
cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors in our bodies. These receptors are called CB1, and CB2 receptors
Effects of cannabis
*Feeling of well being
*Euphoria
*Relaxation
*Distortion in the perception of
space and time
*Deterioration in co-ordination
*Disturbance of judgement
*Loss of concentration
*Drowsiness, sleepiness, lethargy,
*Slowed reactions
*Decrease sperm count
*Delay or prevent ovulation
*Possible infertility
*Anxiety
*Tachycardi
