Altered States of Consciousness - through Drugs
Drugs are chemical substances that, when taken alter the structure or functioning of the body in some way. Psychoactive drugs change the way in which chemicals allow neurons to communicate with each other. We discussed neurotransmitters in the previous chapter. Psychoactive drugs can cause these transmitters to increase in amount, be blocked at receptor sites, or not be reabsorbed. These drugs affect behavior, thoughts or perceptions. These drugs may be naturally occurring or clinically synthesized. Attitudes toward drugs and drug-taking behavior vary across cultures. Drug misuse occurs when prescription or non prescription drugs are used inappropriately resulting in some form of physical, mental, or social impairment. A person can become physically dependent when he or she needs the drug to maintain normal function and cope in daily life. Psychological dependence occurs when the person compulsively uses a substance to alleviate boredom, regulate mood, or to cope with everyday life. It can also occur when the person needs to engage in the drug culture associated with a particular drug and does not feel emotionally normal without doing so. This continued use and physical or psychological dependence is known as an addiction. Prolonged drug use can cause relatively persistent changes in a brain pathway that causes basic drives. These changes are a major source of addiction. Drug tolerance occurs when increasing amounts of a drug are needed for the same effect.
