Psychoactive Drugs Side Effects

 Psychoactive drugs are substances that alter mental functions such as awareness, mood, consciousness, and mental processing when ingested into the body. Caffeine, amphetamines, nicotine, opiates, and nicotine are a few examples of psychoactive drugs. The most popular psychoactive stimulant in the world, caffeine, is present in a wide variety of regular foods and drinks. The person may feel more awake and energized as a result. On the other hand, caffeine has certain adverse effects, including anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, and difficulty sleeping. Another popular psychoactive substance is nicotine, which has significant hazards though regular use may raise dopamine levels. While nicotine can momentarily enhance brain function and memory, long-term smoking lowers cognitive function and increases risk of Alzheimer's disease. Opiates are drugs derived from the opium poppy plant's sap and seeds. These medications cause an immediate decrease in anxiety along with euphoric emotions. But these substances are highly addictive, frequently resulting in drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, and respiratory depression in addition to dependency problems. Amphetamines, a chemical substance made synthetically or derived from the Khat plant are categorized as stimulant drugs. Side effects include  heightened alertness, euphoria, and hyper focus. Although amphetamines are frequently recommended to treat ADD or ADHD, they can also have some unfavorable side effects. Amphetamine use can result in heart problems, memory loss, irrational thinking, weight loss, a noticeable drop in appetite, and in extreme situations, a stroke. 

 

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Sources:

Sissons, B., & Ngo, P. (2024, July 1). Nicotine: Facts, effects, and dependency. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240820#effects

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, March 19). Caffeine: How much is too much?. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, May 25). Prescription opioids Drugfacts. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids#:~:text=Opioid%20misuse%20can%20cause%20slowed,permanent%20brain%20damage%2C%20or%20death.