Psychoactive Drugs and Their Effects

Psychology Psychoactive Drugs and their Effects Medications that effect large number psychologically are called psychoactive drugs. They are often laboursaving in treating depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other psychological complications. Psychoactive drugs dont affect the underlying gives of these disorders, but they can provide symptomatic relief to allow people to live more natural lives. Anxiety can be defined as persistent nervousness, tension, or panic ca physical exertiond by stress or other psychological causes.Anti-anxiety drugs ( too know as minor tranquilizers) are used to promote relaxation or reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety. Everyone feels depressed at times, but when it is prolong and starts interfering with daily life, support, professional help, and psychoactive medications may be appropriate. Insomnia has many causes, including anxiety and depression. When the cause is known and can be treated, sleep patterns generally save to normal. When the insom nia is persistent, sleeping drugs may be appropriate. Drugs are classified according to their do and actions on the mind and body.Example Depressants, Hallucinogens, opiates and stimulants. Depressants (sometimes called downers) are a class of drugs that slow normal brain function. It acts on the central nervous system because of this effect on GABA activity that resurrects a drowsy or calming effect. GABA whole caboodle to decrease brain activity. Depressants also carry high habit-forming potential. The withdrawal effects from long-term depressant use can be life- threatening and produce some of the worst consequences of any other drug classifications. Examples alcohol, Valium, Xanax, Librium, and barbiturates.Hallucinogens (commonly referred to as Psychedelics) are drugs which cause altered perception and belief. Hallucinogens have powerful mind altering effects and can change how the brain perceives times, everyday reality, and the surrounding environment. They affect regions of the brain that are responsible for coordination, thought processes, hearing and sight. They can cause sensory or perceptual distortions in people to hear voices, see things, and feel sensations that do not exist. Hallucinogens change the charge the brain works by changing the way middle cells communicate with one another.Hallucinogens possess a moderate potential for addiction with very high potential for tolerance, moderate level of psychological dependence and low potential for physical dependence. Examples LSD, PCP, methylenedioxymethamphetamine,(Ecstasy), marijuana, mescaline, and psilocybin. Opiates (or narcotics) are powerful painkillers. They are made from opium, a white liquid in the poppy plant. Opiates produce a quick, intense feeling of pleasure followed by a sense of well being and calm. Long-term opiate use changes the way the brain works by changing the way nerve cells communicate with one another.If opiates are taken away from opiate-dependant brain cells, many of them will become overactive. As with many other drugs, opiates possess very addictive potential. Examples heroin, morphine, codeine, Oxycontin. Stimulants (uppers) are a class of drugs that elevate mood, increase feelings of well-being, and increase energy and alertness. Stimulants can cause the heart to beat faster and will also cause blood pressure and breathing to evaluate. Repeated use of stimulants can result in paranoia and hostility. As with other drugs, stimulants possess very high addictive potential.Examples cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), nicotine and caffeine. Drug Abuse generally refers to drug taking that cause emotional or physical harm to one self or others example, operating machinery or driving a vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol. Addiction is a broad term referring to a condition in which a person feels compelled to use a specific drug. Drug addiction can be psychological, physical or both. Drug addiction is not the same as su bstance ill-usage or drug abuse. A Individual who abuse drugs are not necessarily drug dependent, people who are addicted to drugs, conversely are also called drug abusers.