Drugs

Drugs

Most drugs are chemical substances that effect the CNS. They cause changes in psychological behaviour
Beneficial
1. medical uses
  1. antibiotics, eg penicillin
  2. over the counter or prescription
2. Rehabilitation
harmful
1. dangerous if missused
  1. addiction- physical need and withdrawal symptoms
2. Tolerance- the body gets used to having it so you need a high dose to get an effect.
Depressants
1. Decrease the activity of the brain which slows down the NS causing slow reactions
  1. alcohol
Stimulants
1. increase the activity of the brain by increasing the amount of neurotransmitter at some neurone synapses
  1. nicotine, caffine
painkillers
1. decrease by blocking the nerve impulses to the brian.
  1. Narcotics like Morphine
hallucinogens
1. distort what's seen and heard by alerting the pathways nerve impulses normally travel along.
  1. LSD
smoking
1. carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin in red blood cells meaning the blood carries less oxygen
2. contains carcinogens like tar.
  1. 90% of lung cancers are associated with smoking.
Alcohol
1. short term
  1. slows reactions
  2. blurred vision and lower inhibitions leading to people doing things they usually wouldn't
2. Long term
  1. poisonous
  2. death of liver cells forming scar tissue that starts to block blood flow through the liver- this is called cirrhosis.
    1. if the liver can't do it's normal job of cleaning the blood, dangerous substances damage the body.
  3. brain damage
plants can produce chemicals to defend themselves against pathogens. some of these chemicals are anti bacterial
1. humans use plant chemicals
  1. Tea tree is a large Australian shrub that kills bacteria
    1. the indigenous people of Australia used in traditional medicines

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	Created by daniifarrell over 10 years ago