PSYC62H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Depressant, Receptor Antagonist, Nucleus Accumbens
Chapter 9: GHBand Inhalants
GHB
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate
• Drug and NT that has depressant effects on CNS
• White, tasteless powder that dissolves easily in water
• Both recreational and instrumental uses
• Earned negative reputation in 90s as substance used in sexual assault
o Date rape
• DSM categorized GHB as schedule I controlled substance
• Physicians use another form of GHB → sodium gammahydroxybutyrate as a treatment
for narcolepsy
• Cans synthesize GHB from gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)
o Immediate precursor
GHB: Natural and Synthetic
• Both naturally occurring substance in the CNS and synthetically produced drug
• In CNS
o Metabolite of GABA
o GABA transaminase converts GABA to succinic semialdehyde
o Succinic semialdehyde reductase transforms succinic semialdehyde to GHB
Pharmacological Actions of GHB
• NT GHB found throughout the brain
• After production, GHB accumulates within vesicles used for storing GABA
o Many neurons likely release both GABA and GHB
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Ghb: natural and synthetic: both naturally occurring substance in the cns and synthetically produced drug. In cns: metabolite of gaba, gaba transaminase converts gaba to succinic semialdehyde, succinic semialdehyde reductase transforms succinic semialdehyde to ghb. Include volatile alkyl nitrites, nitrous oxide, and volatile solvents, fuels, and anesthetics: most representative alkyl nitrite has amyl nitrite, ability to provide feelings of warmth, throbbing sensations, light-headedness, and enhanced sexual experiences, nitrous oxide. Aka laughing gas: another recreationally used inhalant, b/c of its euphoric effects, depressant, and hallucinogenic effects, majority of abused inhalants consists of volatile solvents, fuels, and has anesthetics. None of the products containing commonly abused inhalants is illegal to purchase. Pharmacological actions of inhalable solvents: focus on actions of toluene and related inhalable chemicals. Inhalants: pharmacological effects and interference with oxygen intake. Inhalants initially exhibit stimulant-like effects and later exhibit depressant-like effects: 4 general stages of inhalant effects, first stage begins few min after inhalation.
