Alcohol
Psychological effects
Loss of inhibition, exhibitionism, relaxation.
Physiological effects
Alcohol replicates GABA which slows down reactions as it relaxes the nervous system. As the
frontal lobes become depressed there is less control over movement motor skills and
coordination.
Mode of Action
Alcohol increases the effect of GABA on the post synaptic neuron, making us feel relaxed (GABA is
an inhibitory neurotransmitter). This slows our ability to react to dangerous situations.
Alcohol increases dopamine in the reward pathway making us feel happy.
Initially alcohol increases serotonin to improve mood but over time levels of serotonin reduce
which leads to depression (alcohol is a depressant).
Alcohol makes noradrenaline less effective, so it makes concentrating harder.
Cocaine
Psychological effects
Cocaine can allow people to feel euphoric, have increased energy. Chronic cocaine use can affect
you psychologically as well as physically, developing states of temporary psychosis which can cause
hallucinations.
Physiological effects
This drug raises the body temperature. When you add physical activity to the situation, something
that is common with the use of cocaine the body temperature can rise even more. Ultimately, the
body may experience heatstroke. Heart attack and heart disease can result from a build-up of
cholesterol in the arteries. Nosebleeds can be an issue and well as difficulty speaking from inhaling
the drug. Bowel gangrene: The reduced blood flow to the major organs can cause the bowels to
become gangrenous, resulting in chronic diarrhoea. Cocaine can result in lifelong medical
problems, coma and death.
Mode of action
Cocaine acts by blocking the reuptake of dopamine. Because dopamine isn’t reuptaken into the
pre-synaptic neuron, more is available to bind to the receptors on the post synaptic neuron
causing the euphoric effect of cocaine. The brain then starts to reduce production of dopamine
leading to a person taking more cocaine to get the same feeling.
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Psychological effects
Loss of inhibition, exhibitionism, relaxation.
Physiological effects
Alcohol replicates GABA which slows down reactions as it relaxes the nervous system. As the
frontal lobes become depressed there is less control over movement motor skills and
coordination.
Mode of Action
Alcohol increases the effect of GABA on the post synaptic neuron, making us feel relaxed (GABA is
an inhibitory neurotransmitter). This slows our ability to react to dangerous situations.
Alcohol increases dopamine in the reward pathway making us feel happy.
Initially alcohol increases serotonin to improve mood but over time levels of serotonin reduce
which leads to depression (alcohol is a depressant).
Alcohol makes noradrenaline less effective, so it makes concentrating harder.
Cocaine
Psychological effects
Cocaine can allow people to feel euphoric, have increased energy. Chronic cocaine use can affect
you psychologically as well as physically, developing states of temporary psychosis which can cause
hallucinations.
Physiological effects
This drug raises the body temperature. When you add physical activity to the situation, something
that is common with the use of cocaine the body temperature can rise even more. Ultimately, the
body may experience heatstroke. Heart attack and heart disease can result from a build-up of
cholesterol in the arteries. Nosebleeds can be an issue and well as difficulty speaking from inhaling
the drug. Bowel gangrene: The reduced blood flow to the major organs can cause the bowels to
become gangrenous, resulting in chronic diarrhoea. Cocaine can result in lifelong medical
problems, coma and death.
Mode of action
Cocaine acts by blocking the reuptake of dopamine. Because dopamine isn’t reuptaken into the
pre-synaptic neuron, more is available to bind to the receptors on the post synaptic neuron
causing the euphoric effect of cocaine. The brain then starts to reduce production of dopamine
leading to a person taking more cocaine to get the same feeling.
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