[PSYD35H3] - Final Exam Guide - Everything you need to know! (47 pages long)
Document Summary
Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that alter the normal processes associated with neuronal function or communication between neurons. The spinal cord is essentially the (cid:498)information highway of the body(cid:499) through which messages are sent back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. The brain stem is attached to the top of the spinal cord: divided into three parts: medulla, pons, and midbrain. Depressant drugs, such as barbiturates, depress the brain-stem activating system. The cerebellum is connected to the brain stem by large nerve tracts: it is necessary for the proper integration of movement and posture. Most of the neurons that make up these two nuclei contain the. 11 major nuclei make up the hypothalamus and are responsible for the integration of our entire autonomic nervous system. It controls vegetative functions (such as eating/drinking, sleeping, etc. ) in large part by controlling the hormonal output of the pituitary gland.
