Psychoactive drugs have been around long before most people imagine. Although the least harmful type of psychoactive drug is caffeine, this title includes such a vast amount of drugs, ranging from something so small like caffeine all the way to cocaine. Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that change conscious awareness, mood, or perception. Not everyone reacts the same way to drugs due to the fact that the chemicals alter each person differently in both psychological and physical senses. Psychoactive drugs alter your state of mind drastically due to the chemicals incorporated into such drugs.
In the world we live in today, a multitude of people use drugs for recreational use. Such petty, recreational use can lead to severe abuse and addiction problems due to the sensation they receive from the intake of drugs. Addiction, nowadays, has become a word used very loosely and applied to virtually any subject; nevertheless, abuse, which is compulsive drug taking that causes emotional or physical harm to oneself, can lead to addiction and can be extremely harmful. The feeling that you receive from the use of drugs depends on what type you are taking. The four main drug categories are: depressants (downers), stimulants (uppers), opiates, and hallucinogens. Depressants act on the central nervous system to slow bodily processes and overall responsiveness. Some popular depressants include alcohol, Xanax, and roofies. There is a strong possibility of abusing downers because one quickly acquires tolerance and dependence. One may be shocked when reading that alcohol is a depressant; however, that is because when only consumed in small amounts, it has stimulating effects.
Very popular among hardworking adults, as well as college campuses, are sti...
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...er. The use of drugs has become so popular at these events that a great deal of people from the ages of 18-21 have died from overdosing. Back in the day, drugs were a lot more natural whereas, our generation mixes together several types of drugs and even uses synthetic versions. The overuse and simple use of such intense drugs starting from a young age leaves a person extremely vulnerable to abuse.
Psychoactive drugs have become exceedingly popular in the United States in recent years. Such drugs alter your state of mind due to the chemicals in them interacting with the neurons in your brain. Due to the sensations that psychoactive drugs cause one to have, users tend to use them more frequently. Many of the repercussions of the use and abuse of drugs are negative and can even lead to death; however, they are still utilized and favored by a large majority of people.
One must look beyond the stereotypes that psychedelics have earned in the twentieth century, and also modern science, that presupposes that any thing that cannot be explained within its own contexts either does not exist or is but a fanciful idea. However, the realm of psychedelics is uncharted area, and when dealing with such experimental substances, such as these psychedelic agents, one must proceed with caution, as was mentioned earlier the agents are powerful tools and can be used with skill or reckless abandon, and therefore can yield positive responses or deadly consequences. If used with care psychedelics will allow many psychologists and patients to embark on a perhaps endless journey of self-discovery.
Throughout the history of the human species, we have been always wanted to know three basic questions: why we are here, where did we come from, and where do we go after this life? Whether we were created from an omnipotent being as in many religions, we happened by chance and made it to where we are through evolution, or maybe even something else. Whatever the case may be, humans have always been curious and wondered about our existence and consciousness. Along with these age old questions, also came the use of psychoactive drugs and other mind altering substances. In order to try to understand these questions, humans have experimented with drugs that alter their state of consciousness.
In 1943, Albert Hofman took the first “acid trip,” from accidentally ingesting his creation known as LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide. Hofman reported his experience of seeing amazing pictures, fantastic shapes, and effervescent colors. Since then, hallucinogenic drugs have widely spread across the drug market. Why are hallucinogenic drugs used so much across the United States, as well as the rest of the World? What is it about these drugs that alter people’s decisions and consciousness? Why is it that some people would rather spend their nights buying and using these drugs than any other alternative? It is simply for the astounding effects that these drugs can offer one’s mind and alter their moods. The popularity and strength of hallucinogenic drugs have created a cultural phenomenon across the United States. How have the effects of hallucinogenic drugs, such as mushrooms, acid, and ecstasy, affected the American population?
the left of a pair of crystals that are a mirror image of each other.
Looking solely at the physiological effects of psychoactive drugs (GCU, 2014) provides a picture of how various substances physically interact with the brain and central nervous system to affect a person’s mood, thought and behavior. Whether a person uses a psychoactive chemical medically or recreationally, the result is that substances are absorbed and distributed through the body, brain and central nervous system (CNS) via the bloodstream. Variables such
Drug Abuse in the United States has gone down since the 1990’s but now that percentage is starting to increase. Nowadays children perceive drugs to be less harmful and are deciding to try hard drugs such as amphetamines, stimulants, and opiates. These drugs are extremely addictive, one try and you could be hooked on for life. This is dangerous, the earlier children start to try drugs the more prone they are to dealing with addiction as adults.
Psychedelic drugs, also known as hallucinogens, are drugs that primarily alter perception and cognition in the brain. They include, “LSD [Lysergic Acid Diethylamide] (“acid”), psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline (found in peyote), ibogaine, salvia, and DMT (found in ayahuasca)” (2). The most commonly used hallucinogen is LSD.
Hallucinogens stem from extracts and parts of some mushrooms and plants. These compounds have been used for centuries, if not longer, for religious rituals, recreational use, and sometimes as filler in other drugs. The most known commonly used hallucinogens include LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide), PCP (phencyclidine), and peyote. Although it is still debated how they trigger their effect, it is believed that these drugs interfere
Over 90% of lung cancer cases are due to cigarette smoking. nicotine is inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Since nicotine is so addictive, many people will return to cigarette smoking after quiting despite the negative consequences.("Psychology today") Opioids are classified as medications that relieve pain. Opioids slow down the pain signals reaching the brain. They affect an area of the brain that controls emotion, so it also slows down how you think about the pain. A few of these drugs would be hydrocodones, morphines, codeins, and oxycodone. (national institute on drug abuse 2014(2)) Stimulants are used to increase energy, alterness and increase how well you pay attention. Physically stimulants can increase blood pressure and your hear rate. Because stimulants because some addictive they stopped being prescribed as much. Now, stimulants are only really prescribed for ADHD,Narcolepsy, and occasionally depression. (National Institute on Drug Abuse 2014 (3)) Illicit drug use usually starts out as an experiment. As time goes on and the user "tries" the drug more frequently they begin to rely on the mental or physical affects of these drugs. Also as time goes on the user begins to develop a tolerance to the substance and has to use more each time thus, becoming an addiction. Most illicit drugs can make the user feel anxious, paranoid, and many can experience hallucinations. (Healthline
Teenagers have the sources to get drugs, but not all teens use drugs. The ones that do use drugs start around the age of twelve. The survey was given to about 67,500 people aged 12 and older. An estimated 8% of the people surveyed used an illicit drug in 2007, within the past month of when the survey was taken. An illicit drug is an illegal drug that is also sold illegally. Those who use drugs may have family issues and/or bullying problems, which bring us back to them trying to fit in with society. The drugs that people use have to come from somebody, but whom? The drugs usually come from a person selling them on the street. Those dealers get it from a higher source and that hig...
The altered states of consciousness produced by drugs presents an all-to-common phenomenon in today’s society. Whether the desired sensation comes in the form of energy, a means of relaxation, or pain reduction, many people go to great lengths and present their bodies to threatening conditions in order to achieve this euphoric “high.” Unfortunately, the use of these drugs very often comes with dangerous side effects that users must learn to manage with for the rest of their life. According to neuroscientists, our entire conscious existence bases itself off of the lighting-fast reactions occurring in our nervous system (Nichols, 2012). Therefore, changing these neurological reactions can permanently effect our conscious being (Blatter, 2012). The physical and neurological effects from the use and abuse of stimulants, sedatives, hallucinogens, organic solvents, and athletic performance enhancing drugs will be discussed in order to better comprehend why certain individuals expose themselves to such dangerous materials with seemingly no regard to the permanent consequences associated with such actions.
The history of psychopharmacology has included a lot of *oops*; a substance is used and thought to do one thing, only to find out it does something completely different. I find it interesting how many substances are used by humans before we fully understand how they work, and the potential risks of use. Sometimes the discovered effects are beneficial, but more often they have negative and dangerous side effects. Some of the most dangerous drugs of today, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and opiates, started off in the most common, legal, and accessible products.
While there are many different varieties of psychoactive drugs, stimulants and narcotics are two of the most popular and dangerous. The effect of drugs on the body depends on their chemical properties, a person's mental set, the setting in which the drug is taken, and the genetic's of the user. With this wide variety of contributors, it is extremely hard to predict how a drug will affect an individual, but researchers have studies the basic effects. As a result of this research, we have discovered that stimulants rev up our central nervous system while narcotics relieve pain and induce sleep.
Illegal drugs are used by people as a way out when feeling down about themselves. As the effects of the drugs may stay the same throughout, causes show that there are a large number of reasons for use. Being lonely, isolated, and frustrated in life help start off the drive to escape. In many cases, using drugs is a coping mechanism, especially in teens. Emotions become numb as people try to escape the pain of reality. This is seen in the youth of today as they deal with everyday pressures.. Drug abuse can make people think they are re-creating their former negative self image. This rebellious action gives the attention that is desired. From trying to fit in to hiding from problems, people will always have a choice. In the end, the reality of drug use is damaging to the user's body, mind and relationships.
Few people deny the dangers of drug use, while many teens are curious about drugs. They should stay away from drugs because drugs affect our health, lead to academic failure, and jeopardizes safety. Drugs are used from a long period of time in many countries. The concentration of drugs has increased from late 1960’s and 1970’s. Drugs can quickly takeover our lives. Friends and acquaintance have the greatest influence of using drugs during adolescence.