Drug abuse

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Drug abuse
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17.5 Drug Abuse

• In general, drugs either impact the limbic system
  or affect the action of a particular
  neurotransmitter at the synapse.
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?vukFjH9odsXw

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Some Specific Drugs of Abuse

• Nicotine
• About 11 of youth were current smokers in 2013.
• Nicotine causes a release of epinephrine.
• Nicotine also causes neurons to release more
  dopamine
• Risks
• heart problems.
• lung cancer.
• breathing problems (like more severe asthma)
• excessive coughing.
• throat irritation.
• premature death.

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Some Specific Drugs of Abuse

• Alcohol (Ethanol)
• Most widely abused drug in Canada
• Ethanol influences the action of GABA and
  glutamate. It damages the liver and is able to
  cross the placenta and harm the unborn fetus.
• Risks
• Liver problems
• reduced fertility
• high blood pressure
• increased risk of various cancers
• heart attack
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?vvkpz7xFTWJo

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Some Specific Drugs of Abuse

• Marijuana
• Marijuana is rich in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  that binds to receptors in the brain for
  anadamide
• Naturally occurring neurotransmitter that is
  important for short-term memory processing.
• Risks
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Depressoin
• Body image distortions
• Psychotic symptoms
• Long term use may lead to brain impairement
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?voeF6rFN9org

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Drug Abuse

• Cocaine and Crack
• Cocaine prevents the synaptic uptake of dopamine.
  Cocaine causes extreme physical dependence.
• Body will stop producing as much dopamine to
  compensate for excess consumed
• Risks
• Hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Depression
• Convulsions, seizures and sudden death from high
  doses (even one time)
• High blood pressure, leading to heart attacks,
  strokes, and death
• Liver, kidney and lung damage
• Destruction of tissues in nose https//www.youtube
  .com/watch?vvxI7PTVRfhQ

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Some Specific Drugs of Abuse

• Heroin
• Heroin binds to receptors meant for endorphins,
  natural neurotransmitters that kill pain and
  produce a feeling of tranquility.
• Risks
• Depressed respiration (shallow breathing)
• Uncontrollable feelings of itching that result in
  compulsive scratching or picking at skin (itchy
  blood)
• Heart problems, including infection of heart
  lining and valves
• Infectious diseases spread by shared needles (HIV
  and hepatitis B and C)
• Liver disease
• Seizures
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?vIhfZ7ZPPRQA

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Drug Abuse

• Club Drugs
• Ecstasy, rohypnol, and ketamine are drugs that
  are abused by teens and young adults who attend
  night-long dances called raves or trances.
• Risks
• Nausea
• Chills
• Sweating
• Involuntary jaw clenching and teeth grinding
• Marked rise in body temperature (hyperthermia)
• Dehydration
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart failure and Kidney failure
• Seizures
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?vjEAr7ThsYew

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Drug Abuse

• Methamphetamine
• Meth or crank is a powerful CNS stimulant.
• releases dopamine
• Risks
• addiction.
• psychosis, including paranoia. hallucinations.
• changes in brain structure and function.
• memory loss.
• aggressive or violent behavior.
• mood disturbances.
• severe dental problems
• Skin picking
• Skin crawling
• Hair loss

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Drug Abuse
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Drug Abuse
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Drug Abuse
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Drug Abuse

• caffeine is structurally similar to adenosine
• a chemical that makes us sleepy.
• When we drink coffee, caffeine binds to our
  brain's adenosine receptors, preventing the
  chemical from binding with the receptors and
  making us tired.
• For those of us who regularly drink coffee in
  copious amounts, our brains develop more
  adenosine receptors so it takes more coffee to
  keep us awake.
• We develop more adenosine receptors (and
  therefore more adenosine) why coffee drinkers are
  so tired when they dont drink coffee

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Drug Abuse

• Caffeine also builds up the adrenaline supply
• increases heart rate, gets blood pumping, and
  opens up airways
• caffeine prevents dopamine from getting
  reabsorbed into your system
• leaves the feel-good chemical in your brain
  longer but also makes it more addictive!
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?v4YOwEqGykDM

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Drug Abuse

• Risks
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• irritability, nervousness, or severe jitters
• Nausea
• Tremors
• trouble in sleeping