Drugs
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Lesson notes
What are drugs?
- **Drugs** are substances that can change how the body and mind work.
- Some drugs are used for medical reasons (e.g., painkillers), others for recreation.
- Recreational drugs can have serious effects on health and behaviour.
Types of drugs and their effects
- **Painkillers** (e.g., paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen) block pain signals from reaching the brain; they do not treat the cause of pain.
- **Depressants** (e.g., alcohol, heroin) slow down brain activity, making you feel relaxed or sleepy, but impair coordination and slow reaction times.
- **Stimulants** (e.g., caffeine, nicotine, cocaine) increase brain activity, making you feel more awake and alert; they also increase heart rate and blood pressure.
- **Hallucinogens** (e.g., LSD, magic mushrooms) change your perception of reality, causing you to see, hear, or feel things that are not there.
Alcohol – a legal depressant
- Alcohol is a **legal drug** classified as a **depressant**; it enters the bloodstream and slows brain functions.
- Effects include slurred speech, blurred vision, impaired judgment, and reduced coordination and reaction times.
- Long-term heavy drinking can cause **liver disease** (cirrhosis), heart disease, increased cancer risk, brain damage, and mental health issues.
- Alcohol can lead to aggressive or risky behaviour and **addiction**.
Addiction and withdrawal
- **Addiction** is when the body or mind becomes dependent on a substance, leading to a strong need to keep using it despite harm.
- When an addicted person stops using the drug, they may experience **withdrawal symptoms**.
- Withdrawal symptoms include **anxiety**, **shaking**, and **nausea**.
Illegal drugs
- Some drugs are **illegal** because they are highly addictive and cause severe harm to mental and physical health.
- Examples of illegal drugs: **heroin** and **cocaine**.
Four main types of drugs and their effects on the body and mind.
Slides
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Practice questions
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1.Which type of drug slows down brain activity and can make you feel relaxed or sleepy?
Easy- ADepressants
- BStimulants
- CPainkillers
- DHallucinogens
2.Which of the following is an example of a painkiller?
Easy- AParacetamol
- BCaffeine
- CLSD
- DAlcohol
3.Which of the following drugs is illegal?
Easy- AHeroin
- BAlcohol
- CParacetamol
- DCaffeine
4.Why is it dangerous to drive after drinking alcohol?
Medium- AAlcohol slows reaction times and impairs coordination
- BAlcohol increases alertness and concentration
- CAlcohol improves vision and hearing
- DAlcohol has no effect on driving ability
5.What is meant by addiction?
Medium- AA strong need to keep using a drug even when it is harmful
- BA temporary desire to try a new substance
- CA medical treatment using drugs
- DA feeling of relaxation after taking a drug
6.Which of the following is a withdrawal symptom?
Medium- AAnxiety
- BIncreased energy
- CImproved concentration
- DEuphoria
7.Why are heroin and cocaine illegal?
Medium- AThey are highly addictive and cause severe harm to health
- BThey are used for medical purposes
- CThey are legal in some countries
- DThey are depressants
8.How do painkillers work?
Medium- AThey block pain signals from reaching the brain
- BThey increase brain activity to ignore pain
- CThey treat the cause of the pain
- DThey slow down the nervous system
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