For example, insulin is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is called a drug. Many natural substances, such as beers, wines, and psychoactive mushrooms, blur the line between food and recreational drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both mind and body and some substances normally considered drugs such as DMS (Administratively) are actually produced by he human body in trace amounts.
How are drugs classified? Drugs are commonly classified according to their legal status or their effects on the central nervous system. Legal and illegal drugs Laws and regulations control the availability, quality and price of the “legal” drugs. For example, tobacco may not be sold to persons under the age of 18. Illegal drugs Because they are illegal, there are no price or quality controls on the illicit drugs such as heroin and ecstasy.
This means that a user can never be sure that the drug they are taking is in fact what they think it is; for example, AMP oversimplifications), a toxic form of amphetamine, has been sold as ecstasy. The user also cannot be sure of a drug’s strength or purity. Various batches of an illegally manufactured drug may have different mixtures of the drug and additives such as poisons, caffeine or even talcum powder. Effects on the central nervous system There are three main types of drug affecting the central nervous system.
Depressants Depressants are drugs that slow down the functions of the central nervous system. Depressant drugs do not necessarily make a person feel depressed. They include: Alcohol (“booze”, “grog”) Cannabis (“pot”, “dope”, “mull”) Painlessness’s (tranquilizer), “bonzes”, iterant” such as Roping, Valid, Serapes, Megaton, Nor mission and Euphony GHB (Gamma-hydrogenate), or “fantasy” Opiates and avoids, including heroin (“H”, “smack”), morphine, codeine, methadone and petitioned Some solvents and inhalants In small quantities, depressants can cause the user to feel more relaxed and less inhibited.
In larger quantities they can cause unconsciousness, vomiting and even death. Depressants affect concentration and coordination. They low down a person’s ability to respond to unexpected situations. Stimulants Stimulants act on the central nervous system to speed up the messages to and from the brain. They can make the user feel more awake, alert or confident. Stimulants increase heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. Other effects include reduced appetite, dilated pupils, talkativeness, agitation and sleep disturbance.
Mild stimulants include: Ephedrine used in medicines for bronchitis, hay fever and asthma Caffeine in coffee, tea and cola drinks Nicotine in tobacco. Stronger stimulants include: Amphetamines, including illegal amphetamines (“speed”, “crystal meet”, “ice” “shabby”) Cocaine (“coke”, “crack”) Ecstasy “EXT”, “exec”) Slimming tablets such as Determine, Attenuate Dodson and Pondered. Large quantities of stimulants can “over-stimulate” the user, causing anxiety, panic, seizures, headaches, stomach cramps, aggression and paranoia.
Prolonged use of strong stimulants can mask some of the effects of depressant drugs, such as alcohol, making it difficult for a person to judge their effects. Hallucinogens Hallucinogens affect perception. People who have taken them may believe hey see or hear things that aren’t really there, or what they see may be distorted in some Way. The effects of hallucinogens vary a great deal, so it is impossible to predict how they will affect a particular person at a particular time.
Hallucinogens include: Astatine (“K”, “Special K”) Magic mushrooms (psilocybin; “gold tops”, “mushiest”) Mescaline (peyote cactus) PC (angel dust’) Cannabis is an hallucinogen as well as a depressant. Ecstasy can also have hallucinogenic qualities. Some effects of hallucinogens include dilation of pupils, loss of appetite, increased activity, talking or laughing, emotional and psychological euphoria and wellbeing, jaw clenching, sweating, panic, paranoia, loss of contact with reality, irrational or bizarre behavior, stomach cramps and nausea.
How do drugs affect a person? The effects of a drug depend on the type of drug and a range of personal and environmental factors. Some factors to consider include: How much of the drug is taken and how Often. Generally, the greater the quantity taken, the greater the effect. Overdose occurs when the amount taken exceeds the body’s ability to cope with the drug. How the drug is taken. Generally, drugs that are injected or inhaled act very quickly and the effects are more intense.
Snorting through the nose is the next fastest-acting method, while the effects of drugs eaten or swallowed take longer to occur. A person’s physical characteristics, such as height, weight and gender also influence how a drug affects them. The proportion of body fat, rate of metabolism and, for women, stage of the menstrual cycle can all influence the intensity and duration of drug effects. The person’s mood and environment also plays a role. How a arson is feeling and the social setting can have a significant impact on drug effects.
A person is more likely to enjoy the experience in a comfortable social atmosphere than in a threatening environment. Tolerance to the drug. The first time a person uses a drug, they have a very low tolerance and are likely to feel the effects very strongly. The more often the drug is taken, generally the less intense the effects will be. This means that larger amounts are needed to obtain the desired effect. Other drugs used (poly drug use). Combining drugs can increase or alter the effects, often in unpredictable says. What problems can drug use cause?
Regardless of the drug used, there are many problems related to drug use, such as: Family or relationship problems Problems at work or school Accidents gal problems Financial problems Health problems Sexual problems Drugs and pregnancy Most psychoactive drugs can cross the placenta and affect the unborn child. Heavy and sustained use of some drugs during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, fetal distress or a range of other complications. Drugs and driving Driving safety requires mental alertness, clear vision, physical coordination ND the ability to react appropriately.
