Invitation to Psychology

ChapTER 5 Body Rhythms and Mental States 175

TaBlE 5.1 Some psychoactive Drugs and Their Effects

Class of Drug Type Common Effects

Some Results of abuse/

addiction

Amphetamines
Methamphetamine
MDMA (Ecstasy)*

Stimulants Wakefulness, alertness,

raised metabolism,

elevated mood

Nervousness, headaches, loss

of appetite, high blood pressure,

delusions, psychosis, heart

damage, convulsions, death

Cocaine Stimulant Euphoria, excitation,
feelings of energy,
suppressed appetite

Excitability, sleeplessness,

sweating, paranoia, anxiety,

panic, depression, heart

damage, heart failure, injury to

nose if sniffed

Nicotine (tobacco) Stimulant Varies from alertness to
calmness, depending on
mental set, setting,
and prior arousal;
decreases appetite for
carbohydrates

Nicotine: heart disease, high

blood pressure, impaired

circulation, erectile problems

in men, damage throughout the

body due to lowering of a key

enzyme

Tar (residue from smoking

cigarettes): lung cancer,

emphysema, mouth

and throat cancer, many other

health risks

Caffeine Stimulant Wakefulness,
alertness, shortened
reaction time

Restlessness, insomnia, muscle

tension, heartbeat irregularities,

high blood pressure

Alcohol
(1–2 drinks)

Depressant Depends on setting and

mental set; tends to act like a

stimulant because it reduces

inhibitions and anxiety

Alcohol (several/
many drinks)

Depressant Slowed reaction time,

tension, depression, reduced

ability to store new memories

or retrieve old ones, poor

coordination

Blackouts, cirrhosis of the liver,

other organ damage, mental

and neurological impairment,

psychosis, death with very large

amounts

Tranquilizers
(e.g., Valium);
barbiturates (e.g.,
phenobarbital)

Depressants Reduced anxiety and

tension, sedation

Increased dosage needed for

effects; impaired motor and

sensory functions, impaired

permanent storage of new

information, withdrawal

symptoms; possibly convulsions,

coma, death (especially when

taken with other drugs)

Opium, heroin,
morphine, codeine,
codone-based pain
relievers

Opiates Euphoria, relief of pain Loss of appetite, nausea,

constipation, withdrawal

symptoms, convulsions, coma,

possibly death

LSD, psilocybin,
mescaline, Salvia
divinorum

Psychedelics Depending on the drug:

exhilaration, visions and

hallucinations, insightful

experiences

Psychosis, paranoia, panic

reactions

Marijuana Mild
psychedelic
(classification
controversial)

Relaxation, euphoria,

increased appetite, reduced

ability to store new memories,

other effects depending on

mental set and setting

Throat and lung irritation,

possible lung damage if smoked

heavily

• Ecstasy also has psychedelic properties.