Psychoactive+drugs+(E.4.3-E.4.6)

4/27/12

 * finish going over drug mechanisms
 * discuss causes of addiction

Read pg. 330, "Drug Addiction, the Causes" in Tiger book
**E.4.3** Explain how psychoactive drugs affect the brain and personality by either increasing or decreasing postsynaptic transmission. Include ways in which synaptic transmission can be increased or decreased.

review inhibitory and excitatory nerve transmission
**E.4.4** List three examples of excitatory and three examples of inhibitory psychoactive drugs. Use the following examples.
 * Excitatory drugs: nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines
 * Inhibitory drugs: benzodiazepines, alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

**E.4.5** Explain the effects of THC and cocaine in terms of their action at synapses in the brain. Include the effects of these drugs on both mood and behaviour.

**E.4.6** Discuss the causes of addiction, including genetic predisposition, social factors and dopamine secretion.