MIND ALTERING DRUGS

and antacids.

Brandon, Jasmine, Drew, Abi, and Sandra

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

• The effects unpredictable and depend on: – the amount taken– the user's personality – mood– expectations– the surroundings in which the drug is used

• Usually, the user feels the first effects of the drug 30 to 90 minutes after taking it.

• physical effects: – dilated pupils– higher body temperature– increased heart rate and blood pressure – sweating– loss of appetite– sleeplessness– dry mouth – tremors.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)•Sensations and feelings change more dramatically than physical signs.

-feel several different emotions at once/ mood swingsdelusions and visual hallucinations.-sense of time and self changes, ability to make sensible judgments impaired-Sensations may seem to "cross over," giving the user the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds.

-These experiences are long, ~ 12 hours.

Mescaline (Peyote)• Anxiety, paranoia . • dream-like, drifting, almost a delirium type of state during the

first couple of hours. • The sensation is similar to LSD• Much depends on the potency of the peyote and the blend of

mescaline and the fifty or some odd alkaloids contained in cactus.• Physical effects

– increased body temperature – heart rate – blood pressure – loss of appetite – sleeplessness – numbness – weakness – tremors – lowered blood pressure – difficulty breathing. – Nausea, vomiting

• injuries or deaths are more likely to be a result of accidents that occur because of the distorted perception that is

the drug's major effect.

Legalization of Cannabis (Pros)

• In January, the recreational use of marijuana became legal (for those 21 or older) in Colorado and Washington. Massachusetts recently became the 18th state to allow its use for medicinal purposes. Why might these states have legalized cannabis for recreation as well as medicinal use:

• While marijuana can be addictive, scientists generally agree that fewer than 10 percent of marijuana smokers become dependent on the drug, compared with 15 percent for alcohol, 23 percent for heroin and 32 percent for tobacco.

• Legalization would mean a lower price; thus, related crimes (like theft) would be reduced.

Cont. (Pros)

• It could be a boon for the government. The FDA or others could regulate the quality and safety of the drug and it could be a source of additional tax revenues.

• A majority of drug dealers would lose most or all of their business. • According to case studies, cannabis is a good remedy to combat

withdrawal in dependency on benzodiazepines, opiates and alcohol. For this reason, some have referred to it as a gateway drug back.

• Has been observed to alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with other illnesses/treatment (like cancer chemotherapy, anorexia and cachexia in HIV/AIDS, and chronic, especially neuropathic pain, spasticity in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury).For many other indications, such as epilepsy, pruritus and depression there is much less available data. However, the scientific evidence reflects an actual therapeutic potential for the given disease.

Legalization of Cannabis (Cons)

• The mean concentration of THC, the psychoactive ingredient, in confiscated cannabis more than doubled between 1993 and 2008.

• Increased potency may be having unforeseen consequences. There is a high density of cannabinoid receptors in parts of the brain that affect pleasure, memory and concentration. Some research suggests that these areas continue to be affected by marijuana use even after the “high” dissipates.

• Teenagers may be more vulnerable to addiction, those who start smoking pot at a younger age are at higher risk. Approximately one in six become addicted

• Marijuana is often used as a stepping-stone drug, leading to heroin, cocaine, or other harder drugs.

Cont. (Cons)

• The most disturbing new studies about early teenage use of marijuana showed that young adults smoking pot regularly performed significantly worse on cognitive tests of brain function. They performed particularly poorly on tests assessing executive function, which is responsible for planning and abstract thinking, as well as understanding rules and inhibiting inappropriate responses.

• A more recent study found that people who started smoking marijuana as teenagers and used it heavily for decades lost IQ points over time

Antacids

• Human stomach contains gastric juices that are acidic, with pH between 1.0 and 3.0, because they contain hydrochloric acid (HCl)

• Too much acid causes heartburn (and an ideal environment for the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, causing peptic ulcers)

- Ulcer- a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue

Antacids

• Antacids are weak bases, utilized to neutralize the excess acidity in a human stomach. They relieve the pain of ulcers and prevent ulcers and heartburn from happening. Antacids are metal oxides, hydroxides, carbonates or hydrogencarbonates.

Antacids (cont.)

Antacid Ingredient Name Chemical Formula

Tums Calcium carbonate CaCO3

Gaviscon Aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)3

Milk of Magnesia Magnesium hydroxide/oxide Mg(OH)2, MgO

Antacids

• Antacids are often combined with alginates - alginate: produce a neutralizing layer preventing acid in the stomach from rising into the esophagus and causing heartburn• Antacids are also combined with anti-foaming

agents to reduce surface tension of gas bubbles

Action of Antacids• Magnesium Oxide

– MgO(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2 (aq) + H2O(l)

• Magnesium Hydroxide– Mg(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

• Aluminum hydroxide– Al(OH)3(s) + 3HCl(aq) AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l)

• Calcium carbonate– CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

• Sodium hydrogen carbonate– NaHCO3(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

• Magnesium trisilicate– Mg2Si3O8(s) + 4HCl(aq) 3SiO2(s) + 2H2O(l) + 2MgCl2(aq)

Effects of THC

• Can reduce pain

• Increased relaxation

• Decreased/Increased Anxiety

• Increased Fatigue

• Stimulation of Appetite

• Alteration of visual, auditory, and olfactory perceptions

• Can also reduced aggression in certain people

Effects of Psilocybin

• Extreme influence on perception of time

• Minutes can feel like hours

• Can not gauge time intervals longer than 2.5 seconds.

• Perceptions and emotions are intensified

• Can cause panic attack

Effects of Psilocybin

• Good Experience

• Sense of connection with others, nature, and universe

• Builds connections instead of isolates one’s self

• Bad Experience “bad trip”

• Extreme fear

• Unpleasant feelings

• Can cause dangerous behavior