Lecture Outline #12:
Pain Killers and Stimulants: (continued)
NOTE: I would remind
you that background information on these drugs is available at:
National Institute of
Drug Abuse WebPage
U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services, Alcohol & Drug Information
III. METHAMPHETAMINE ("speed", "meth", and
"chalk")
1. This medicine for treatment of obesity has a high
potential for abuse and dependence.
2. Methamphetamine
releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the
nucleus accumbens.
3. After smoking,
or iv injection, one has a "rush" or
"flash" of extreme pleasure for only a few minutes.
4. Methamphetamine causes increased heart rate and blood pressure, and causes irreversible damage to blood vessels. It causes strokes, breathing problems, heart arrhythmia, and extreme anorexia.
IV. METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE ("Adam", "ecstasy",
"X-TC")
1. a synthetic, psychoactive drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties.
2. Action is similar to methamphetamine, causing degeneration of neurons containing
dopamine.
3. A single high dose, or chronic low doses, destroys up to 50% of brain cells that contain dopamine.
4. Parkinsonian
symptoms may eventually emerge, starting with lack of coordination and
tremors.
V. HEROIN ("H", "smack", "skag," and "junk")
1. Heroin
is processed from morphine, a substance
extracted from the seed-pod of the Asian poppy.
2. The short-term "rush" appears soon after a single dose and disappears in a few
hours.
3. Chronic
users develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart and valves,
abscesses, liver disease.
4. Withdrawal produces restlessness,
muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goose
bumps ("cold turkey"), kicking ("kicking the habit") and
other symptoms.
VI. MARIJUANA ("pot", "herb", "weed",
"boom", "Mary Jane", "gangster",
"chronic")
1. It is a green or gray mixture of dried,
shredded flowers and leaves from the hemp Cannabis sativa.
2. Active chemical is D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC), which binds to receptors on certain nerves.
3. The short-term effect
is problems with memory, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking and
problem solving, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic
attacks. (24 h 1/2 life)
4. Marijuana is addictive in that it
causes compulsive, often uncontrollable craving, seeking, and use.
VII. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) ("acid")
1. LSD is a hallucinogenic
drug found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.
2. Usually, the
first effects of the drug take 30-90 minutes, causing dilated pupils, higher
body temp, increased heart rate and BP, sweating, loss of appetite,
sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.
3. Sensations may
seem to “cross-over” giving the user the feeling of hearing colors and seeing
sounds.
4. LSD is not
considered to be an addictive drug.
VIII. PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP) ("angel dust", "ozone", "wack", "rocket fuel")
1. Was originally
developed in 1950's as an iv anesthetic. (bad effects
caused it to be discontinued)
2. PCP causes agitation,
delusion, and irrationality, violence, and suicidal tendencies.
3. Users
oftentimes taken to emergency rooms because of severe flushing, sweating,
nausea, blurred vision, flicking eyes, drooling, loss of balance, dizziness,
garbled speech, seizures, and coma.
4. Although
addictive, most users will not knowingly try it a second time because of the
initial bad trip.
IX. RITALIN (methylphenidate)
1. A medication for hyperactive children, or with attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD).
2. It stimulates CNS with effects similar to but less potent than amphetamines, but more than caffeine.
3. For uncertain reasons, ritalin calms hyperactive kids, and allows "focusing" by those with ADHD.
4. Illicit ritalin is more readily available
in
X. DATE RAPE DRUGS: ("roofies", "roach", "rope")
A. ROHYPNOL (the "Club Drug")
1. It is perhaps best known for its use in drug-facilitated
sexual assaults.
2. It produces sedative-hypnotic effects
including muscle relaxation and anterograde
amnesia.
3. When mixed with alcohol, it can incapacitate
a victim and prevent them from resisting sexual assault.
4. It can produce physical and psychological dependence, and can be lethal when
mixed with alcohol.
B. GHB (g-hydroxybutyrate)
1. Effects are similar to Rohypnol, but also has
euphoric, sedative, and anabolic effects.
2. It has been associated with sexual assault in
cities throughout the country.
3. Repeated use, followed by withdrawal, can
cause insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating.
4. It caused Congress to pass the "Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996"
Return to Biol 1307 First Page