Recreational Drug UseWhat is a drug?Slide 3Commonly Abused Controlled SubstancesMarijuanaMarijuana and the brainMarijuana-Other factors to considerMarijuana-cultural attitudesCocaineCocaine and the brainOthers of uses of cocaineMethamphetamine (Speed)Methamphetamine-Medical UsesStimulants and SocietyLSD (Acid)Other HallucinogensMDMA (Ecstacy)HeroinPrescription PainkillersSlide 20Acetaminophen (Tylenol)AlcoholChocolateThe Ethics of Recreational Drug UseSourcesSources (cont.)Recreational Drug UseSteven OrrWhat is a drug?•“a substance used in medication or in the preparation of medication”•“something and often an illegal substance that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change in consciousness”-Merriam Webster OnlineWhat is a drug?•“1. Pharmacology. a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being.”•“2. (in federal law)–a.any substance recognized in the official pharmacopoeia or formulary of the nation.–b.any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or other animals.–c.any article, other than food, intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or other animals.–d.any substance intended for use as a component of such a drug, but not a device or a part of a device.•“3. a habit-forming medicinal or illicit substance, esp. a narcotic.”-Dictionary.comCommonly Abused Controlled Substances•Marijuana•Cocaine•Methamphetamine (Speed)•LSD (Acid) & Psychedelics•MDMA (Ecstacy)•Heroin•Painkillers and Other Prescribed DrugsMarijuana•Derived from Cannabis sativa•Smoked or ingested•Active chemical is THC(delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)Marijuana and the brain•THC mimics anandamide, a neurotransmitter that activates cannabinoid receptors.•Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and basal ganglia.•THC’s effects on the...–Hippocampus-impaired short-term memory–Cerebellum and basal ganglia-coordinationAdditional information-<http://www.rism.org/isg/dlp/ganja/analyses/Marijuana%20and%20Medicine%202a.html>Marijuana-Other factors to consider•Harmful effects–Smoking marijuana produces many of the health problems related to smoking tobacco.–Marijuana may be physically addictive and users may experience withdrawal symptoms that affect mood, appetite, and sleep patterns.•Potential Medicinal Uses–Suppresses nausea and increases appetite–Relieves eye pressure–Decreases muscle spasms, convulsions, menstrual crampsMarijuana-cultural attitudes•Positive–Makes people happy/mellow–Enhances creativity•Negative–Causes paranoia/violence and leads to depraved behavior(Reefer Madness)–Leads to laziness and apathyCocaine•Derived from the leaves of Erhthroxylon coca bush•Pure chemical is cocaine hydrochloride salt that is snorted or dissolved in water and injected•Crack is cocaine that has not been neutralized by an acid and is usually heated and smoked.Cocaine and the brain•Cocaine inhibits reabsorption of dopamine, which gives the user a feeling of euphoria.•Cocaine is highly addictive.•Users develop a tolerance to the high of cocaine, but a sensitivity to its anesthetic and convulsant effects.•Heavy cocaine use can cause paranoid psychosis.Others of uses of cocaine•Coca leaves chewed in precolumbian South America, used as stimulant•Cocaine used as stimulant in tonics in early 20th century•Still used as anesthetic during some surgeriesMethamphetamine (Speed)•Powerful stimulant–Raises body temperature–Increass wakefulness and decreases appetite•Highly addictive–Users develop tolerance.–Psychological withdrawal symptoms•High comes from release of dopamine into brain’s pleasure centers•Release of dopamine damages dopamine and serotonin-containing cellsMethamphetamine-Medical Uses•Narcolepsy•ADD•ObesityStimulants and Society•Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine)–Habit-forming and overdose can be fatal.–Used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD.–Also used recreationally as a “party drug.”•Caffeine–Too much can impair heart function, disrupt sleep, and cause headaches.–Heavy users experience withdrawal symptoms.–May improve memory retention in older women by reducing Alheimer’s-causing beta amyloid protein.LSD (Acid)•Compound of lysergic acid•Experience varies based on user and setting•User may experience synesthesia, delusions, and hallucinations•May lead to schizophrenia or severe depression•Flashbacks-recurrence of “trip” experience after use of LSD has ceased•Not addictive, but users develop a tolerance•No known medical usesOther Hallucinogens•Mushrooms-Psilocybin•Mescaline•Peyote•Nutmeg?•Some Hallucinogens are used in Religious Rituals. Should this be stopped?MDMA (Ecstacy)•3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine•Similar to methamphetamine and mescaline•Has stimulant and hallucinogenic properties•Inhibition, euphoria, enhanced sensation, especially tactile•Same physical dangers as stimulants•Can cause depression and inability to concentrate•Damages neurons involved in mood(serotonin), thinking, and judgement•Often mixed with other stimulants, such as caffeineHeroin•Opiate extracted from morphine of poppy seed pods•Used as a painkiller around the turn of the century•Often mixed with other substances, so strength is variable•Euphoria•Highly addictive-tolerance develops•Extremely toxic to the body, and additives may be even worse•Causes respiratory depression•Withdrawal symptoms are potentially fatal for heavy users.Prescription Painkillers•OxyContin–Active indregient is oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic–Closely related to heroin, with similar side effects–10mg of oxycodone=10mg morphine–Respiratory depression can be fatal.–Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms occur.–When taken as directed, it helps users manage pain.Prescription Painkillers•Hydrocodone–Analgesic and antitussive–Structurally similar to codeine but with effects similar to morphine–Often mixed with acetaminophen(tylenol)•Vicoden•Lortab•Lorcet–Overdose causes potentially fatal liver damage due to acetaminophen–Users experience dependence and withdrawal symptoms.Acetaminophen (Tylenol)•Potentially fatal if abused•The leading cause of liver failure–At least 42% of cases at liver centers–About 50%