Cannabis
What is the psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis?
THC
What is the legal drinking age in BC?
19
What happens when the body becomes used to a drug and needs larger and larger amounts to produce the same effect?
Tolerance
What is an Opioid?
Opioids are a class of drugs that includes heroin as well as powerful pain relievers such as oxycodone (Oxycontin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, fentanyl, methadone, and many others.
Name a stimulant, its effects, and if it creates physical and/or psychological dependency.
Stimulants: Amphetamines/Methamphetamine, cocaine.
Effects: Reduce fatigue for mental and physical tasks. Large/strong doses will increase these effects, and also create a 'crash' - depression, anxiety, drug craving, and extreme fatigue.
Addictive: Yes, Physical and Psychological.
Other than THC, what are some other chemical compounds in cannabis?
CBD, CBG, CBN
What types of drugs are unsafe to mix with alcohol?
Dissociatives, ampetamines, empaths, cocaine, opioids, and other depressants (such as benzos and barbiturates).
True or False: Prescription medications do not interact with other drugs.
False. Many prescriptions interact negatively with drugs, as well as over the counter medications, such as tylenol and advil.
What does an opioid overdose look like?
1. Trouble breathing or not breathing.
2. Pale and clammy skin (potentially blue fingertips/lips)
3. Extreme drowsiness, passing out (nodding off)
4. Unable to be woken up by touch, shaking of shoulders, or shouting
5. Slow or no heartbeat
6. Very small pupils, like a pinpoint.
Name a psychedelic, its effects, and if it creates physical and/or psychological dependency.
Psychedelics: LSD (acid), magic mushrooms
Effects: Sensory effects include hallucinations that vary with dose, setting, and mood. Psychological effects include distortions of thought associated with time and space. Forms and colors may change, and may take on new significance. Effects such as fear, depression, anxiety, and paranoia can occur and be long-lasting.
Addictive: No.
What are three ways that THC affects your mental experience?
THC can cause changes in mood, thoughts, and perceptions of reality.
What is it called when an individual’s blood alcohol level (the percentage of alcohol circulating in the bloodstream) rises to a danger point in which the individual loses consciousness and goes into a coma and in the worst case, the drinker dies?
Alcohol poisoning, or overdose.
What are two types of drug dependence?
Physical dependence: when someone develops a tolerance for a drug or shows withdrawal symptoms without it.
Psychological dependence: a strong emotional desire to continue using a drug.
What can you do to help someone experiencing overdose?
1. Call 911/call for help
2. Administer Naloxone
Name an empath, its effects, and if it creates physical and/or psychological dependency.
Empaths: Ecstacy/MDMA (molly)
Effects: Acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen, producing an energizing effect, distortions in time and perception, and enhanced enjoyment of tactile experiences, euphoria, feelings of closeness, empathy, and sexuality. Muscle tension, tremors, involuntary teeth clenching, muscle cramps, nausea, faintness, chills, sweating, blurred vision, and once the substance has worn off, feelings of depression and irritability.
Addictive: Potentially* Repeated use has damaging effects on the brain, making it difficult to feel happy without the use of the substance.
What are three short term effects of cannabis use?
Short term memory loss, impaired vision, impaired coordination, dry mouth, delayed response/reaction time, etc.,
How long does it take for alcohol to enter the bloodstream?
5-10 minutes after being consumed (it passes from your stomach into your bloodstream and then travels throughout your entire body affecting nearly every organ system in the body)
What are the four ways in which drugs enter the body?
Through the mouth, through injection, through inhalation, and through absorption.
How do opioids cause an overdose in the body?
Opioid overdose effects include severe depression of the respiratory system, potentially causing respiratory arrest, coma, and death.
Name a dissociative, its effects, and if it creates physical and/or psychological dependency.
Dissociatives: Ketamine
Effects: Ketamine distorts the perception of sight and sound, makes the user feel disconnected and not in control, makes patients feel detached from their pain and environment. Ketamine can induce a state of sedation (feeling calm and relaxed), immobility, relief from pain, and amnesia (no memory of events while under the influence of the drug). Ketamine can make users unresponsive to stimuli, and cause involuntarily rapid eye movement, dilated pupils, salivation, tear secretions, stiffening of the muscles, and possible nausea.
Addictive: Physically, no. Psychologically, potentially.
What are three long term risks of cannabis use?
1. Respiratory issues
2. Mental Health Effects
3. potential Cardiovascular Issues (heart rate/blood pressure ^ after use, long term could increase risk of heart attack/stroke)
4. Stomach Issues
5. Increased Cancer Risk
Name three long term effects of alcohol on the body and mind.
1. Lead to cancer of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, and larynx, liver, stomach, ovaries, breast, prostate, and small intestine
2. Affects parts of the brain and nervous system that control breathing, heartbeat, and related body functions which causes many deaths
3. Associated with cardiovascular disease, and neurological damage
4. Psychiatric effects, such as depression and anxiety
Name at least 3 factors that determine the effects a drug might have on the mind and body.
1. The way the drug enters the body
2. The specific drug being taken
3. The dose or amount of a drug taken at one time
4. The emotional state of the person
5. The person's genetics
6. Whether the person is taking more than one drug at the same time
What happens to a person during an opioid withdrawal?
Opioid dependence and withdrawal is characterized by constricted nausea, mental confusion, drowsiness, severe sweats and constipation.
Name a depressant, its effects, and if it creates physical and/or psychological dependency.
Depressants: Alcohol, Benzos, Barbiturates, GHB.
Effects: Depressants will induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and prevent seizures. They also cause amnesia (leaving no memory of events that occur while under the influence), reduce reaction time, impair mental functioning and judgment, and cause confusion.
Addictive: Yes, physical and psychological.