| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Alcohol | Slows brain activity that controls judgment and inhibitions. People under influence tend to be more aggressive or helpful (e.g. larger tips) or self-disclosing or sexually daring. Urges you feel while sober are ones most likely to be acted upon if intoxicated. Low doses of alcohol relax drinker—slow sympathetic NS activity. Larger doses --> reactions slowed, speech slurred, skilled performance deteriorate. Worst consequence: drinking/driving accidents. it affects memory—doesn’t affect short-term recall or long term memory but disrupts processing of recent experiences into long-term memory. Memory blackout from inability transfer memories from intoxicated --> sober state. it suppresses REM sleep. Lots of if --> shrink brain; women have less of enzyme to digest it. Reduces self-awareness --> drink to suppress awareness of failures. Focuses attention on present instead of future. Effect stems from chemical change and user’s expectations. |
| Barbiturates | tranquilizers; mimic the effects of alcohol. Depress sympathetic NS activity. E.g.: Nembutal & Seconal --> sometimes prescribed to induce sleep or reduce anxiety. Large doses impair memory & judgment |
| Opiates | opium and its derivatives (like morphine and heroin). Depress neural functioning. Blissful pleasure replaces pain and anxiety. Cravings lead to need for larger dose. Can cause overdose/death, or brain to stop producing natural opiates. |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace