Alondra Hernandez

Health 1050

Professor Ibarra

April 20, 2017

Journal 1 Meth

How it works in the brain?

It enters into the brain and it is almost identical to the structure of the neurotransmitter

dopamine in the brain. It causes the brain to release all of the dopamine giving the user a

euphoric feeling throughout their body.

5 Acute effects of Meth

1. Decreased Appetite
2. Euphoria
3. Increased Respiration
4. Increased attention
5. Rapid/Irregular Heartbeat

3 Chronic Effects

1. Anadonia- The brain uses all of its dopamine and is unable to produce anymore, the

user is then stuck in a deep depression they cannot feel happiness or joy.
2. Meth-induced psychosis- The addicts are in a constant paranoia, they feel like there

are bugs crawling over them, people are out to get them, and are always fidgeting.
3. Meth Mouth- The users mouth and gums begin to rot from the inside. From the use

of meth the mouth is constantly dry so without any saliva it begins to blister and rot.

Journal 2 Cocaine
How it works in the brain?

While it is similar to Meth in the way it works in the brain, cocaine differs because it

blocks the reupdate in the synapse of the neurotransmitters dopamine, nor-epinephrine,

and serotonin saturating the brain.

5 Acute Effects

1. Constrict Blood Vessels

2. Dilated Pupils
3. Increased Heartrate
4. Severe Headaches
5. Increased Blood Pressure

3 Chronic Effects

1. Loss of Smell- Snorting Cocaine like most users do damages the nose and can

lead to serve loss of smell.

2. Weight Loss- Users lose their appetites so they do not eat. Overtime it leads to

extreme weight loss.

3. Bowl Gangrene- Ingesting cocaine can cause bowl gangrene in the users

overtime, it rots the inside of their stomachs

Journal 3 Heroine

How it works in the brain?

Enters into the brain and turns back into a morphine like substance immediately. The

morphine then binds with the brains natural opioid receptors causing the good feeling.

5 Acute effects
 1. Slow Breathing
2. Dry Mouth
3. Muscular Weakness
4. Pin Point Pupils
5. Drowsiness

3 Chronic Effects

1. Collapsed Veins- After heavy abuse and over using veins for injecting they start to

collapse and rot so the user cannot inject the drug anymore in those veins.
2. Heart Lining and Valves Infections
3. Imbalances in neuronal and hormonal systems that are not easily reversed.

Journal 4 LSD/Hallucinogens

How it works in the brain?

Hallucinogens produce a perception-altering effects by acting on a neural circuit in the

brain that use the neurotransmitter serotonin. The most prominent effects occur in the prefrontal

cortex effecting the mood, cognition, and perception.

5 Acute Effects

1. Increased blood pressure

2. Dizziness/Sleepiness
3. Nervousness, Paranoia, and Panic Reactions
4. Increased Heart Rate
5. Severe Vomiting (Ayahuasca)

3 Chronic Effects

1. Persistent Psychosis- After regular use a person may continue to have visual

disturbances, disorganized thinking, Paranoia, and mood disturbances.

 2. HPPD- Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder is something a heavy user can

develop, the symptoms are hallucinations, visual disturbances, and they are often

mistaken for neurological disorders like a stroke or brain tumor.

3. Cardiovascular collapse- Can cause a sudden stroke/heart attack of a abuser of the

drug, killing them.

Journal 5 Marijuana

How it works in the brain?

When it is smoked, THC gets into the brain rapidly and attaches to the cannabinoid

receptors in the brain. THC overwhelms the EC system and prevents the natural chemicals from

doing their job properly. Throwing the whole system off balance.

5 Acute Effects

1. Altered Senses
2. Altered Sense of Time
3. Changes in mood
4. Impaired body movement
5. Difficulty with thinking and problem solving

3 Chronic Effects

1. Temporary Hallucinations- sensations and images that seem real though they are not.
2. Temporary Paranoia- extreme and unreasonable distrust of others
3. Worsening Symptoms in patients with Schizophrenia.

Journal 6 and 7 Alcohol/Alcoholism

How it works in the brain?

Effects brain chemistry by altering levels of neurotransmitters. Increases the effects of the

inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain.

What is Alcoholism?

It is a chronic disease, characterized by someone who is addicted to alcohol. They do not

care about any consequences with family, friends, or professional only care about getting their

next drink.

5 Acute Effects

1. Blackout
2. Dizziness
3. Aggression
4. Nausea/Vomiting
5. Euphoria

3 Chronic Effects

1. Sexual Problems- Long term drinkers will have continued sexual problems.
2. Vitamin B1 deficiency, brain cannot process sugars.
3. Liver Disease- Constant drinking will destroy the liver of the drinker.

Journal 8 Anabolic Steroids

How it works in the brain?

Anabolic steroids created excessive amounts of testosterone in the body causing male

sexual characteristics to develop as well as make the muscles in the body grow much quicker.

5 Acute Effects

1. Paranoid
2. Extreme Irritability
3. Delusions
4. Impaired Judgement
5. Testies shrink

3 Chronic Effects
 1. Kidney problems or failure
2. Liver damage
3. Enlarged heart- high blood pressure, and changes in blood cholesterol, all of which

increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Journal 9 Tobacco

How it works in the brain?

The nicotine is absorbed through the blood and tranfered into the brain. In the

brain nicotine immediately stimulates the adrenal glands to release the hormone

epinephrine.

5 Acute Effects

1. Bad Breath
2. Bad taste in mouth
3. Smelly Hair and clothes
4. Lost athletic ability
5. Addiction to nicotine

3 Chronic Effects

1. Cancers- Lung, Mouth, and many other types of cancers are a high risk.
2. Heart Disease
3. Shorter lifespan up to 20 years.

Journal 10 Prescription Drugs

How it works in the brain?

Opioids mimic the way neurotransmitters work in the brain, releasing the dopamine and

serotonin in the brain.

5 Acute Effects
 1. Drossiness
2. Intoxication
3. Fatigue
4. Trouble pronouncing/talking
5. Anxiety

3 Chronic Effects

1. Extreme weight loss- Users lose all appetite while on the drug, which they do not eat and

causes extreme weight loss

2. Addiction- People who start taking prescription drugs can easily and quickly lead to

addiction.
3. Chronic Insomnia