1.3.C—Explain how psychoactive drugs affect behavior and mental processes. UNIT 1 Biological Bases of Behavior

Explain how psychoactive drugs affect behavior and mental processes. UNIT 1 Biological Bases of Behavior

• Psychoactive drugs can influence neurotransmitter function in various ways throughout the neural communication process. Some act as agonists which encourage neural firing. Some act as antagonists which discourage neural firing. Some act as reuptake inhibitors which block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters back into the cell. UNIT 1 Biological Bases of Behavior
• Psychoactive drugs have psychological and physiological effects.
  • i. Stimulants, such as caffeine and cocaine, typically cause increased neural activity.
  • ii. Depressants, such as alcohol, typically cause decreased neural activity.
  • iii. Hallucinogens, such as marijuana, typically cause distortions in perception and/or cognition.
  • iv. Opioids, such as heroin, typically act as pain relievers.
• Psychoactive drug use can lead to tolerance and/or addiction. Addiction can create significant withdrawal symptoms if the psychoactive drugs are no longer consumed.