In Your World: Psychoactive Drugs Experiences
Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that affect mood, perception, the way of thinking, and behaviour. There are four major types of psychoactive drugs: psychedelics, stimulators, opiates, and sedative-hypnotic substances (Bartol & Bartol, 2014).
Hallucinogens or psychedelic drugs are called so because they may provoke hallucinations. This group comprises such substances as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, psilocybin, marijuana and some others. All these drugs create an alternative state of mind and make a person see the world differently, non-objectively. Some hallucinogens, such as marijuana, may also have a relaxing effect. It is observed that delta-tetrahydrocannabinol contained in marijuana resins cause muscular weakness and inability to maintain physical activities (Bartol & Bartol, 2014). Thus, most of the marijuana addicts are seen as relaxed and inactive people.
Stimulators including amphetamines, caffeine, and nicotine activate the central nervous system. Amphetamines, for example, affect the sympathetic nervous system, a section of the autonomous nervous system responsible for such intensive actions as fighting or escaping from dangerous situations (Bartol & Bartol, 2014). The group os sedative-hypnotic drugs includes alcohol and other substances that depress the functions of the central nervous system, e.g., benzodiazepines. These drugs may relax a person, decrease anxiety and tension.
Opiates have a sedative and analgesic effects. Heroin is an example of an opiate drug, and it is one of the strongest among all other substances. Like all opiates, it depresses the central nervous system. In many people who use heroin, it causes confusion, drowsiness, superficial sleep with bright dreams and a feeling of sublime satisfaction (Bartol & Bartol, 2014). Heroin addicts are usually not prone to physical activities. However, heroin and other opiates are associated with criminal activities more than any other psychoactive substances.
One of the biggest criminal cases associated with drug use in New York Suffolk County took place in 2011 when a couple of drug-addicts massacred four people in a pharmacy store trying to get painkiller pills. One of the offenders, Melinda Brady, said that their initial plan was to threaten the pharmacist and steal drugs. However, David Laffer, her husband, rather showed an impulsive behaviour by suddenly opening fire with his 45-caliber pistol.
He then explained his decision to carry out the massacre by saying that “he had lost his job and she [Melinda] was ill,” yet the addiction to drugs was likely their real motivation (‘No one was meant to get hurt’, 2011, par. 6). The couple stole 10.000 hydrocodone pills. This drug belongs to the category of opiates. In some people, such substances may cause a strong physical and psychological dependence (Bartol & Bartol, 2014). In case a person cannot fulfil the desire to use the drug, it may push him/her towards making a desperate step.
Drugs and the Brain
During the quiz completion, I have learned some new things about the effects of various drugs on the body systems. For instance, cocaine has an adverse impact on the cardiovascular system and may provoke fibrillation, i.e., cardiac rhythm disturbance. It is a serious condition which may consequently lead to heart failure and death. Secondly, I found out that the exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol may affect one’s ability to keep balance.
The ingredient contained in marijuana impacts the cerebellum, the area of the brain that controls our coordination. Lastly, any drug influences the limbic system that is responsible for emotions and the feeling of satisfaction. Due to this effect, people tend to repeat the same actions that provoke pleasure in them and, in this way, the addiction develops (Hart, Ray, & Ksir, 2013). However, some drugs may have a stronger impact on the limbic system than others.
References
Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2014). Criminal behavior: A psychosocial approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Hart, C. L., Ray, O., & Ksir, C. (2013). Drugs, society & human behavior. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
‘No one was meant to get hurt’: Drug-addict wife of man charged with Long Island pharmacy massacre appears in court, as friends mourn young victim. (2011). Mail Online. Web.