Introduction to Psychology

Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org

Mechanism Symptoms Drug

Dangers and side

effects

Psychological

dependence

Physical

dependence

Addiction

potential

Addiction

potential

nausea, vomiting,

and severe

abdominal pain

Heroin

All side effects of
morphine but
about twice as
addictive as
morphine High Moderate High
Hallucinogens
The chemical^
compositions of the
hallucinogens are
similar to the
neurotransmitters
serotonin and
epinephrine, and they
act primarily by
mimicking them.

Altered

consciousness;

hallucinations

Marijuana

Mild intoxication;

enhanced

perception Low Low Low

LSD, mescaline,

PCP, and peyote

Hallucinations;

enhanced

perception Low Low Low

In some cases the effects of psychoactive drugs mimic other naturally occurring states of
consciousness. For instance, sleeping pills are prescribed to create drowsiness, and
benzodiazepines are prescribed to create a state of relaxation. In other cases psychoactive drugs
are taken for recreational purposes with the goal of creating states of consciousness that are
pleasurable or that help us escape our normal consciousness.

The use of psychoactive drugs, and especially those that are used illegally, has the potential to
create very negative side effects (Table 5.1 "Psychoactive Drugs by Class"). This does not mean
that all drugs are dangerous, but rather that all drugs can be dangerous, particularly if they are
used regularly over long periods of time. Psychoactive drugs create negative effects not so much
through their initial use but through the continued use, accompanied by increasing doses, that
ultimately may lead to drug abuse.