Substances
Reducing Harm
It's Just Weed!
It's Just Nicotine!
Neurobiology of Addiction
100
Because this drug causes rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure, individuals with a heart condition or high blood pressure put themselves at great risk when using it:
What is cocaine?
100
This has outpaced car accidents as the number one cause of accidental deaths.
What are drug overdose deaths?
In 2021, 107,000 people passed away from a drug overdose. 
100
Recent research shows that smoking high-potency marijuana every day could increase chances of developing psychosis by this amount compared to those who have never used marijuana.
5x increased risk
100
Nausea and vomiting, dizziness, rapid heartbeat and headaches are symptoms of these nicotine related illness.
What is '"nic-sick"?
Nicotine can making people physically ill when inhaled or ingested in large quantities or beyond a person's tolerance. You can "overdose" on nicotine- 50-60mg for an adult weighing 1501bs. Traditionally, someone who smoked would absorb around 1 milligram of nicotine per cigarette.
100
This is often understood as a biochemical substitute for love, connection, vitality, and joy.
What is drug use?
200
______ is a poison: a toxic, corrosive chemical that alters our mental state and damages our bodies. It has the same ingredients used to make rocket fuel, house paint, antiseptics, perfumes, and deodorants.
What is alcohol?
200
Most overdoses consist of mixing these kinds of drugs.
What are depressants?
opioids, alcohol, benzos
200
This over-the-counter antioxidant is used to help treat Cannabis Use Disorder as well as Stimulant Use Disorder and Tobacco Use Disorder.
What is NAC?
N-Acetylcysteine- not FDA approved to treat SUD, but widely used. Also has shown effectiveness in treating certain mood disorders- depression, schizophrenia...
200
Teens who smoke nicotine are twice as likely to suffer from this mental health disorder.
What is depression?
Under certain conditions nicotine can act as an anxiolytic and an antidepressant, but following chronic use, adaptations to nicotine can occur resulting in increased anxiety and depression following withdrawal.
200
This is our brain's natural narcotic- considered to be our innate opioid system. This does for us exactly what plant-derived opioids can do. They're powerful soothers of pain, both physical and emotional.
What are endorphins?
300
This prescription opioid is twice as powerful as heroin.
What is hydromorphone (dilaudid)?
Both heroin and hydromorphone are potent mu opioid receptor agonists with relatively short durations of action.
300
Much of the severe brain damage that can occur with long-term alcoholism actually results from a deficiency of this rather than alcohol itself.
What is thiamine (vitamin b1)?
Supplementing this vitamin when you drink can reduce this particular harm. Some foods are rich in vitamin b-1 such as pork, yogurt, green peas, you can also take a dietary supplement.
300
This percentage of individuals who smoke marijuana develop Cannabis Use Disorder.
What is 30%?
some discrepancy in the field- some studies suggest the number is closer to 17%
300
While these are relatively less toxic than traditional cigarettes as they don't contain tar and other carcinogens, they significantly increase the risk of developing chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma as well as acute lung damage.
What are e-cigarettes/vapes?
300
This neurotransmitter is known as a "pleasure chemical" and plays a central role in addiction.
What is dopamine?
Kids who use drugs and alcohol early in adolescence rewire their brains so that the substance is required in order to feel normal- not high, not buzzed, normal.
400
Under certain circumstances, alcohol can disrupt or completely block the ability to form memories for events that transpire while a person is intoxicated, a type of impairment known as a ____.
What is a blackout?
400
This drug was invented in 1960 and is known as the "Lazarus Drug."
What is naloxone?
A researcher seeking medication for constipation (which is associated with long-term opioid use) invented naloxone/narcan which is now used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose.
400
This condition can develop in people under the age of 50 with a long history of excessive marijuana use. Symptoms include severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
In many cases it is resolved once the person stops using marijuana. However, this is not always the case.
Interestingly, symptoms are often relieved when taking a hot shower/bath.
400
Nicotine falls under this class of drug.
What are stimulants?
Nicotine is a stimulant drug that speeds up the messages traveling between the brain and body
400
Long-term use of this substance- which is often used recreationally and is associated with altered sensations, increased energy, empathy, and pleasure causes the hippocampus region of the brain to shrink an average of 10%.
The hippocampus is important for keeping our long-term memory intact.
What is MDMA?
Molly- white powder or crystal-like form
ecstasy- pill/capsule form
500
This substance is the illicit drug most frequently found in the blood of drivers who have been involved in vehicle crashes.
What is marijuana?
However, the role of marijuana in crashes is often unclear because it can be detected in body fluids for days or even weeks after intoxication. Those involved in vehicle crashes with THC in their blood, particularly higher levels, are three to seven times more likely to be responsible for the incident than drivers who had not used drugs or alcohol. The risk associated with marijuana in combination with alcohol appears to be greater than that for either drug by itself.
500
Like heroin, this substance attaches to the brain's opioid receptors, but it does not plug in completely- it is slower acting and longer lasting- reducing the rush of sensation and eliminating the plummet afterwards.
What is buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is an opioid often prescribed to those who are opioid dependent. Bupe can produce euphoria and cause dependency. However, the effects are milder than a true opioid- plateau effect makes overdose less likely and deadly.500
Marijuana has been associated with this syndrome which is defined by diminished or absent drive to engage in typically rewarding activities.
What is amotivational syndrome?
Because of the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating mood and reward, brain changes result from early use of mj.
500
These are all symptoms of this disorder: irritability, fatigue, cough, dry throat, nasal drip, dizziness, lack of concentration, constipation, stomach pain, hunger, cravings.
What is nicotine withdrawal?
Stopping tobacco use can bring about a variety of symptoms both physical and psychological. Most symptoms decrease after the first few days of quitting, but can continue for a few weeks.
500
This part of the brain is responsible for rational thinking and problem-solving. It is the last part of our brains to fully develop and therefore is not fully developed in teens, leading them to engage in risky behaviors like substance use.
The impulsive, emotional parts of the brain develop much earlier and are stronger and quicker to respond.
What is the prefrontal cortex?