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A psychoactive drug, mind-altering drug, or consciousness-altering drug is a chemical substance that changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior. [1] The term psychotropic drug is often used interchangeably, while some sources present narrower definitions.
The hijack model of substance addiction suggests that Psychoactive drugs act on ancient and evolutionarily conserved neural mechanisms associated with positive emotions that evolved to mediate incentive behavior. [1] [2] They induce emotions that in human evolutionary history signaled a benefit for the group. Modern drugs tap into these ...
Psychoactive drugs exert their sensory and behavioral effects almost entirely by acting on neurotransmitters and by modifying one or more aspects of synaptic transmission. Neurotransmitters can be viewed as chemicals through which neurons primarily communicate; psychoactive drugs affect the mind by altering this communication.
In 1943, Albert Hofmann discovered the hallucinogenic effects of LSD that led to an altered state of consciousness. [5] [6]In 1947, Gion Condrau and Arthur Stoll [5] [7] [8] [9] [6] observed that people diagnosed as "psychotics" had a stronger tolerance for LSD and that the effects of the drug were similar to the symptoms expressed by psychotics themselves.
Afterglow, when used in the context of recreational drug use, refers to positive physical and mental effects that linger after the main effects of a drug have subsided, or after the peak experience has subsided. This state is often characterized by feelings of detachment or increased psychological clarity.
MDA is bought, sold, and used as a recreational drug due to its enhancement of mood and empathy. [7] A recreational dose of MDA is sometimes cited as being between 100 and 160 mg. [8] It produces MDMA-like effects, including entactogen and psychedelic effects. [2] [8] [9]
A motivation-enhancing drug, [2] [3] also known as a pro-motivational drug, [1] is a drug which increases motivation. [ 4 ] [ 1 ] Drugs enhancing motivation can be used in the treatment of motivational deficits , for instance in depression , schizophrenia , and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Responsible drug use seeks to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with psychoactive drug use. For illegal psychoactive drugs that are not diverted prescription controlled substances, some critics [1] [2] believe that illegal recreational drug use is inherently irresponsible, due to the unpredictable and unmonitored strength and purity of the drugs and the risks of addiction ...