PSYCO104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Drug Tolerance, Barbiturate, Hypnotic

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCO104
• Professor: Eric Legge

Document Summary

Psych 104 lecture #21 consciousness pt. Drugs and consciousness: drugs are carried by capillaries. Contains chemicals similar to those in our brain. Alter consciousness by changing chemical processes in neurons. Mental beliefs and expectancies also affects effects: how drugs facilitate synaptic transmission. Enhances production, storage or release of neurotransmitter. Opiates and amphetamines: how drugs inhibit synaptic transmission. Antagonist: inhibits or decrease action of neurotransmitter. Reduce synthesis, storage or release of neurotransmitter. Prevent neurotransmitter from binding to post-synaptic receptors. Binds to dopamine receptors but does nothing (acts as a block) Tolerance and withdrawal: tolerance: the decreasing responsivity to a drug from repeated use over time. Must take larger and larger doses to achieve some physical and psychological effects. Body will attempt to adjust with compensatory responses, reactions opposite to the drug"s intended effects: substance abuse: recurrent problems with a drug, withdrawal: occurrence of strong compensatory response after sudden stoppage of a drug. Learning drug tolerance and overdose: shepard siegel.