Cross-culturally, humans seek out substances that modify the way they feel or experience their environments. Reasons for using mind-altering substances vary but can include relaxation, increased alertness and recreation. Alcohol, perhaps the world's most popular drug, also falls into the category of mind-altering substances. In general, drugs and alcohol function by altering the way the brain and nervous system work.
Types
Recreational drugs fall into three general categories. Depressants slow physiological and psychological activity and include alcohol, popular pain killers such as vicodin and street drugs such as heroin. In their book, "Napoleon's Buttons," chemists Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson note that heroin and many other depressants are chemically related to opium. Stimulants increase the rate of physiological or psychological activity and include cocaine and caffeine. Hallucinogens cause mental hallucination, with popular examples including LSD and mushrooms.
Time Frame
The rate at which drugs enter the system and begin to take effect depends on the route of entry, as well as the type of drug, Dr. Lauralee Sherwood notes in her book, "Human Physiology." Typically, the oral route is the slowest with regard to length of time from drug use to effect. Orally administered drugs, including opiate painkillers, typically begin to take effect within 15 to 30 minutes. Alcohol, which is generally taken orally, is something of an exception to this rule. Alcohol is absorbed very quickly from the stomach, and can even be absorbed by the mouth, meaning that it begins to take effect within minutes. Inhalants and injected drugs often take effect within moments of use.
Considerations
Some drugs, such as caffeine and alcohol, are so well accepted socially that they're not even classified as drugs by governmental regulatory organizations. Caffeine isn't even regulated. Other drugs that have legitimate pharmaceutical uses are controlled by the Food and Drug Administration, through the Controlled Substances Act. Vicodin, for instance, can be prescribed by a physician, but can't be sold outside a medical setting. Still other drugs, including street drugs such as heroin and LSD are simply illegal.
Mechanisms
Drugs function by mimicking the activity of a normal body substance or enhancing or decreasing the activity of a portion of the brain or body. Alcohol, for instance, affects the function of the neurotransmitters GABA, or gamma amino butyric acid, and serotonin. Both of these neurotransmitters, Dr. Neil Carlson notes in his book, "Foundations of Physiological Psychology," lead to relaxation and contentment. Cocaine increases the action of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, which increases attention and produces a feeling of stimulation.
Effects
All drugs, alcohol included, show the ability to produce tolerance over time, which means that the body adapts to the presence of the drug. This has two negative effects. First, it means that an individual needs more of the substance to produce an effect. Second, it means that alcohol and other drugs can lead to addiction, a phenomenon whereby the brain and body don't function normally in the absence of the drug. Both of these lead to the tendency of drug and alcohol addicts to seek more and more of their preferred substance over time, Dr. Carlson notes.
References
- "Napoleon's Buttons"; Penny Le Couteur and Jay Bureson; 2004
- FDA: Controlled Substance Act
- "Foundations of Physiological Psychology"; Neil Carlson, Ph.D.; 2004
