Effects of LSD - Research Paper Example

6.9 Discuss the effects, tolerance, withdrawal, and dangers associated with LSD. Effects of LSD LSD is the short form of lysergic acid diethylamide, a highly potent drug manufactured from the lysergic acid found in ergot fungus that grow on rye, as well as other grains. It is sold in the streets in the form of capsules, tablets or gelatine squares (Drug free world 3). The effects of LSD are usually unpredictable and depend on the amount taken by the user, the mood of the individual and the personality the user bears (Drug free world 7). The effects are experienced in a period of between 30 to 90 minutes from the moment of intake and the pupils become dilated, as a result. The body temperature rises or decreases, while the blood pressure and heart rate follow a similar trend; which is the unpredictable nature of the use of lysergic acid (Drug free world 6). Apart from these, a user may experience loss of appetite, tremors, insomnia and a dry mouth. Concerning stimulus perception, a user may become fixated on the intensity of a certain colour, and emotionally may suffer from extreme mood swings ranging from bliss to terror (LSD p.2). An LSD user is usually unable to disengage and distinguish between reality and the effects of the drug, and, as a result, there is the frequent urge to take more of the drug in order to relive the experiences enjoyed. In being a hallucinogen, it produces delusions in the user, as well as visual hallucinations. Tolerance Users develop tolerance to LSD rapidly producing a compulsive drug-seeking behaviour. This is due to the long lasting effects of the drug, the ease of absorption of the drug that simple ingestion does not seem to work, as well as the inconsistent effects and potential of the drug (LSD p.2). Withdrawal In order to cease from the use of the drug, rehabilitation measures can be taken in that users can have their stomachs pumped in order to take the drug out of the body (Drug Rehab 101 para. 6). However, this only works before the drug is in the circulatory system. Symptoms of withdrawing from using LSD include anxiety, schizophrenia, impaired memory, mental confusions and suicidal thoughts. To treat it, there is a need to distinguish from other conditions exhibiting similar symptoms. Works Cited LSD. LSD. n.d . Web. 9 Jul. 2012. Drug Free World. The Truth About LSD: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. 2009. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. Drug Rehab 101. LSD Withdrawal and Treatment. n.d. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. 3.8 Explain cocaine tolerance and withdrawal, and its potential dangers and medical uses Cocaine is a crystalline alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca bush (release 1). The drug that goes by the name cocaine; is the salt that is obtained from treating leaves of the coca plant with various chemicals of which hydrochloric acid is one. The drug is used by injection in which it is dissolved in water, or it can be snorted through the nose, which produces a variation in the effects. Effects As mentioned above, the different methods of intake are used to produce different effects in the individual user. This is because, when snorted; it is gently taken into the body, and the effects kick in gradually (realease 1). On the other hand, when injected, the onset of effects occurs rapidly and reaches the brain in a short time to induce the effects fast (release 1). Taking cocaine induces a feeling of euphoria, wakefulness and confidence; which affects the user in regard to their social behaviour (release 1). However, excessive use of cocaine results in anxiety and even death (release 2). It also leads diseases to the user such as septal perforations in the nose; this is due to snorting and chronic ulcerations (Chang and Hollander 252). Medical application In the medical field, cocaine and its derivatives can be used as a local anaesthesia to be used in ocular surgery (Release 3). Withdrawal Due to the dependency associated with the drug, withdrawal symptoms can be severe among users. Those that cease to use the drug end up with a restless feeling, high blood pressure and anxiety (Grabowski 96). Works Cited Chang, Anna and Hollander, Judd. Medical Complications of Cocaine Use. 2010. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. Grabowski, John. Cocaine: Pharmacology, Effects, and Treatment of Abuse. 1984. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. http://archives.drugabuse.gov/pdf/monographs/50.pdf Release. Drugs, The Law & Human Rights. n.d. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. Retrieved from 5.7 Discuss amphetamines, including their effects, aspects of tolerance and withdrawal, medical uses, and associated dangers Amphetamines refer to a group of synthetic psychoactive drugs that stimulate the central nervous system (Amphetamines 1). They include amphetamines, dextroamphetamines and methamphetamines made of two distinct compounds (Amphetamines 1). Effects Amphetamines have an effect on the neurotransmitters at the nerve endings in the brain leading to the release of dopamine and norepinephrine that force the user to stay awake, concentrate at an advanced level and experience improved mental focus (Amphetamines 2). These effects take place in between 3 to 20 minutes from the moment of intake and exhibit similar effects as adrenalin, the fight or flight hormone (Green et al 392). When mixed with other drugs such as illegal drugs and other stimulants, the effects are enhanced to be more intense. However, the effects are usually determined by the mood of the user, the environment, as well as their expectations of what the drugs should do for them. The effects of amphetamines last from between 5 to 20 hours depending on the mode of intake. As a result, amphetamines that are injected into the body directly take effect sooner, and the effect wears off in the same manner, sooner (Family Drug Support 2). Short-term effects include euphoria and a state of well being, increased energy in the body and hyperactivity, talkativeness, reduced appetite and nausea (Amphetamines 2). In addition, coupling together with these effects is increased blood pressure and heart rate. Social inhibitions such as shyness are also affected by experiencing suppression so that the user does not feel the pressures of sticking to their values or shortcomings. Long-term effects include toxic psychosis, pounding heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, mood and mental changes, convulsions, mental illness and malnutrition due to decreased appetite. Medical uses Amphetamines are used to treat children suffering from attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder as it improves symptoms when used in the appropriate manner (Amphetamines 3). In addition, it is used to treat patients suffering from narcolepsy. Tolerance Usage of amphetamines can result in tolerance of drugs such that an individual takes increased doses of the drug and develops dependency (Amphetamines 3). This is concerning addiction as users attempt to maintain their feeling of being high. Withdrawal Withdrawal from amphetamine use may result in hunger owing to the reduced appetite that they had prior to discontinuation and disturbed sleep patterns (Family Drug Support 1). The erratic sleep patterns are the result of having reduced hours of sleep and increased alert times. Works Cited Amphetamines. Amphetamines. n.d. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. Family Drug Support, Amphetamines. 2002. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. Greene et al. Review Article: Amphetamines and related Drugs of Abuse. 2008. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. 4.6 In general terms, explain the physiological effects of stimulants on the human body. Stimulants are drugs that have the capability to stimulate the central nervous system by causing excitement and an elevated mood, as well as increased alertness and arousal (US Department of Health and Human Services 1). Effects Use of stimulants affects the human body in a number of ways that they are at times to treat certain conditions such as AHD, depression and narcolepsy. In their use, they release certain chemicals that alter the normal communication between brain cells. This is through the flooding of the brain with dopamine and norepinephrine that act as neurotransmitters between the brain and the body (Coune and Broers 2333). The use of stimulants in an abusive manner leads to irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperature to the point of causing convulsions and increase the potential of suffering a heart failure. In addition, due to the manner in which they are administered, they expose the user to the risk of contracting diseases such AIDs by sharing body fluids. In addition, there are increased incidents of aggressive or violent behaviour due to hyperactivity (Queensland Health 18). Stimulants pose a threat to the mental health of an individual in the form of psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders due to the alterations they cause to the central nervous system. Works Cited US Department of Health and Human Services. Facts on Stimulants. 2011.Web. 9 Jul. 2012.< http://teens.drugabuse.gov/peerx/pdf/PEERx_Toolkit_FactSheets_Stimulants.pdf> Queensland Health. Psycho-stimulants information. 2006, Web. 9 Jul. 2012. Coune, Thierry and Broers, Barbara. The Health of Psychostimulants: A Literature Review. 2010, Web. 9 Jul. 2012. < http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/3/7/2333/pdf> 3.5 How can a depressant reduce pain sensations? Depressants are drugs used medically to treat a number of ailments among them anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, tension and other conditions. In easing pain in the body, depressants alter the chemicals that allow communication between brain cells such that any pain stimulus appears impaired (US Department of Health and Human Services 1). Another way in which they work is by inhibiting the central nervous system from functioning in its normal way by sealing the nerve endings in the brain. In this way, a patient using depressants receives a feeling of euphoria and loss of inhibition (Wisegeek para. 1). This way, the sensation of pain is blocked from the mind of a patient using the depressant. Also, by slowing down slowing down brain activity, pain sensations are blocked by the production of gamma-aminobutryic (GABA) acid that acts as a neurotransmitter (US Department of Health and Human Services 1). By so doing, the brain is numbed to the point where the brain cannot perceive any negative stimulus following GABA’s activity in producing a calming and drowsy effect. Due to this effect, they are times abused to the point where they produce addiction among users, and should therefore, be used as prescribed by a physician. In addition, depressants relax the muscles such that the body parts experiencing pain are relieved (Drug Enforcement Agency 1). Works Cited US Department of Health and Human Services. Facts on CNS Depressants. 2011.Web. 9 Jul. < http://teens.drugabuse.gov/peerx/pdf/PEERx_Toolkit_Depressants.pdf> Drug Enforcement Agency. Drug Fact Sheet. n.d. Web. 9 Jul. 2012. < http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/drug_data_sheets/Depressants.pdf> Wisegeek .What are the Effects of Depressants. n.d.Web. 9 Jul. 2012. < http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-effects-of-depressants.htm> Read More