CAS PS 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Nootropic, Addiction, Tetrahydrocannabinol
1 May 2018
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DRUGS
• Psychoactive drugs: Chemical substances that cross the blood-brain barrier and act to
alter brain functioning
o The effects of a particular drug depend on which neurotransmitter system it
activates
▪ Depressants: Decrease state of mind
▪ Stimulant: Increase state of mind
▪ Hallucinogen: Alter state of mind
o Drug use is highest from age 18-20
• Dependence:
o Drug addiction: Drug use that remains compulsive despite its negative
consequences
o Dependence involves
▪ Tolerance: Increasing amounts of a drug needed to attain intended effect
▪ Withdrawal: Psychological state characterized by feelings of anxiety,
tension and cravings for the addictive substance
Caffeine: (90%) A stimulant that increases alertness and is viewed by some as a potential
cognitive enhancer
• Adenosine: A neurotransmitter that slows down neural activity, causing “sleepiness”.
Caffeine binds to these adenosine receptors, w/o decreasing neural activity … more
• Cognitive enhancer: Some evidence suggests it can improve vigilance, attention and
memory
o But no evidence of long-term cognitive impairment (protects from Parkinson’s
Disease)
o Participants given caffeine able to recall what was in the study and what is not
easier
Ethanol: The main psychoactive ingredient in alcoholic beverages. A depressant that has a
complex range of effects on the brain
o Decrease neural activity by enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA
o Decrease neural activity by inhibiting the processing of the excitatory
neurotransmitter, Glutamate
o Increase dopamine levels, which can contribute to alcohol addiction
• Alcohol impairs cognition: Impairments in motor control, perception, executive
functioning & memory
o Large amounts of alcohol consumption lead to cognitive decline
• Korsakoff’s syndrome: A neurological disease associated with neuronal degeneration,
due to a deficiency in Vitamin B, with severe memory impairments. Often arises due to
alcoholism
THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol: The active ingredient in marijuana. Not easily categorized as
a stimulant, depressant or hallucinogen
• Cannaboid receptors are responsible for regulating mood, memory, appetite, pain and
emotions
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Document Summary
Psychoactive drugs: chemical substances that cross the blood-brain barrier and act to. Caffeine: (90%) a stimulant that increases alertness and is viewed by some as a potential cognitive enhancer: adenosine: a neurotransmitter that slows down neural activity, causing sleepiness . Caffeine binds to these adenosine receptors, w/o decreasing neural activity more: cognitive enhancer: some evidence suggests it can improve vigilance, attention and memory, but no evidence of long-term cognitive impairment (protects from parkinson"s. Disease: participants given caffeine able to recall what was in the study and what is not easier. Ethanol: the main psychoactive ingredient in alcoholic beverages. Not easily categorized as a stimulant, depressant or hallucinogen: cannaboid receptors are responsible for regulating mood, memory, appetite, pain and emotions, anandamide: neurotransmitter that binds to cannabinoid receptors. Thc acts to mimic anandamide, binding to its intended receptors decreases neural activity: thc increases dopamine levels causing pleasure, produce relaxed, contented mood, more vivid receptions.
