Psychoactive Drugs

There are many drugs in the world, but which are considered to be psychoactive? What makes a drug psychoactive?

• What are stimulants?
• What are depressants?
• What are hallucinogenics?
• What are benefits to using psychoactive drugs?

Psychoactive Drugs Definition

There are three different categories of psychoactive drugs; stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Within these categories are drugs that are commonly considered to be psychoactive drugs.

Examples of Psychoactive Drugs

Let's dive deeper into the three main types of psychoactive drugs!

Stimulants

Stimulants are often called "uppers", as they speed up bodily functions.

Methamphetamine

Meth is an incredibly addictive drug that has dangerous effects on the body and mental state. Meth will stimulate the release of dopamine (a neurotransmitter that causes feelings of a positive mood). One adverse reaction (among many) is that meth can reduce the production of dopamine over time, leaving the user in a permanently depressed state.

Caffeine

This is the most common psychoactive drug across the world. Are you surprised to see such a common beverage on the list? Once caffeine is ingested, the effect lasts up to four hours. Those who find themselves regular users of caffeine will eventually build a tolerance to its effects. Those who decide that they want to cut back on their usage can find it difficult. When a person stops using caffeine, their body's response is quite like that of other drugs in this explanation. Often, a person will experience fatigue and headaches once the usage of caffeine is lessened or completely stopped.

Nicotine

This is another commonly used psychoactive drug that can be found at most markets and shops dedicated to smoking. According to Myers' Psychology for AP, an estimated 10,000 people die worldwide from smoking every day (Myers, 2014). As with most drugs, nicotine users will also build tolerance with chronic use, so a person who smokes will eventually increase their daily usage to feel the same effects. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are released in the brain when nicotine is used.

For those who try to quit smoking, the withdrawal symptoms can be tough. In withdrawal, nicotine users can experience anxiety, insomnia, and of course general crankiness from these symptoms.

Cocaine

Cocaine moves at rocket speeds after being used. This psychoactive drug works quickly but does not have long-lasting effects. There is a sudden release of epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin while reuptake is simultaneously being blocked. This blockage causes a "crash", or a sudden depressive state when the effects are no longer taking place.

MDMA

Also known as Ecstacy, this happens to be a mild hallucinogen. Once the effects of MDMA begin, it can last up to four hours. The effects of this drug are due to the brain releasing serotonin and the blockage of reuptake. There are several negatives with this drug that can lead to death. Firstly, there is dehydration which can lead to overheating and thus death. Because of the immense release of serotonin, damage can occur resulting in the permanency of depression.

Depressants

On the opposite end of the spectrum from stimulants, some depressant psychoactive drugs create a slowing down in the body.

Alcohol

This is another common psychoactive drug that can be found and accessed easily. There is a range of effects that are associated with the use and abuse of alcohol. There is a slower processing speed in our thought processes and speech. It also disrupts our memory and can deeply impair our judgment. This is a reason why alcohol is called a disinhibiting drug. Often, people blame the use of alcohol for doing things that they would normally not do.

Barbiturates

The effects of barbiturates are like that of alcohol, as large doses are seen to cause memory and judgment impairment. Some deaths are also associated with their use. This is because barbiturates are hard to appropriately dose. Those who take large doses often fall into a coma-like state and may even stop breathing.

Opiates

Another class of depressant. Opiates are derived from opium and can be used to create drugs such as heroin, codeine, and morphine. As the drugs react, there is a numbing or pain-killing effect.

Poppy flowers are used to produce opioids

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens can create sensations without the help of any sensory input, creating hallucinations for the user.

LSD

This is said to be a very powerful and psychedelic drug; it acts the same as a serotonin neurotransmitter. When a person describes their reactions to LSD it can sound quite strange. Those who are under the influence of LSD find themselves seeing geometric patterns as well as shapes and past emotional experiences. Many people claim that they felt a sense of separation from their mind and body. Myers' Psychology for AP says that these symptoms are also typical for those who have had a "near-death" experience (Myers, 2014).

Marijuana

This is a very commonly used psychoactive drug, and has even become a political issue in the United States. Much like alcohol, marijuana is a disinhibitor due to its active ingredient, THC. For chronic users, THC can stay within the blood for months at a time. Marijuana impairs memory and judgment and also increases sensations.

Benefits of Psychoactive Drugs

There are a few benefits to using psychoactive drugs. Psychopharmacol journals state that there are benefits in areas of life such as sociability, enjoyment, state of mind, pain management, and relief from anxiety and depression. The most common psychoactive drug that has been classified as having high benefits and low risks is marijuana. Benzodiazepines and marijuana are associated with benefits such as relaxation, decreased depression, decreased anxiety, and relief from pain and illness.

How do Psychoactive Drugs Affect the Brain?

There is quite a bit of research into this particular subject.

Neurotransmitters

Psychoactive drugs often affect the neurotransmitters of the brain, either beneficially, or in harm. As stated for some of the drugs listed above, there is a stimulation of certain hormones that are released by manipulating neurotransmitters. This can be the leading cause of abuse or addiction of these psychoactive drugs.

During the early exposures to these drugs, there are still normal neurotransmissions as levels return to baseline. Repeated use of these drugs however can and will cause abnormalities in neurotransmission, in a permanent way. These are the beginning markers of higher tolerances, resulting in the possibilities of addictions and therefore withdrawal symptoms.

Genetics

Interestingly, amassed changes in neurotransmission can be epigenetic. Of course, a drug cannot change a person's genes, but it can change (increase or decrease) the production of proteins which in turn can change neuron function and the physical structure of neurons (NIDA, 2017).