PS101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Diazepam, Barbiturate, Depressant
Document Summary
Moderate doses: reduce feelings of anxiety; produce euphoria. Slow vital life processes: can be fatal. Intial upper phase then brain centres become depressed. Increases activity of gaba (main inhibitory neuro-transmitter anxiety control) Increase of gaba > decreasing brain activity: alcohol increases gaba therefore further decreasing brain activity. Decreases activity of glutamate (major excitatory neurotransmitter: alcohol further decreases brain activity. Highly addictive: several months needed to lose physiological dependency. Increase neural firing and arouse central nervous system. Increase blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, alertness: e. g. amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, boost mood, produce euphoria and heighten irritability. Decrease need to sleep and to combat depression. Whe(cid:374) it wears off, you(cid:859)ll feel drowsy a(cid:374)d gross a(cid:374)d tired a(cid:374)d sad a(cid:374)d depressed. Increases activity of norepinephrine, dopamine by blocking reuptake. Produce briefer high (e. g. buoyant, elated energetic with increased alertness) than amphetamines. Chronic use associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and brain damage.
