Psychology : Drugs And Consciousness

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide or LSD is a hallucinogenic drug that can be taken orally, injected or even absorbed through the skin. Once LSD has entered the body, it starts to take effects on the levels of serotonin in the brain which can cause; hallucinations, mood change, and even sensory distortion. After taking LSD, the effects on the brain usually last from 6 to 9 hours depending on multiple factors; the dosage of LSD taken, the subject taking LSD, and even the user 's mood can affect the duration of LSD use. LSD is a non-lethal, non-addictive, and a non-habit forming drug that has little to no effect on the long-term health of an individual. However, LSD has been illegal since the 1960 's. Not only did availability of LSD become scarce with the criminalization of the substance, but the legislation also put a halt on the research of the chemical as well. Much of the way LSD interacts with the brain has been left unknown. This derivative from the rye fungus Ergot has been the source of controversy that has left many people wondering why LSD has been classified as a drug that is just as dangerous to use as heroin. It becomes difficult for an individual to understand how legislation could criminalize a chemical without completely understanding how it functions and affects people. LSD should be legalized for scientific, medical and recreational usage.

Throughout human history people have sought experiences that somehow transcend every day life. Some sort of wisdom that might progress their knowledge of self and of the world that they live in. For some reason they believed that the tangible world just could not be all there is to life. Some believed in a greater force that controlled them, some believed of invisible beings that influenced their lives, some of an actual other world that paralleled their own. Many of these people also believed that it was possible to catch a glimpse of these forces, beings, or worlds through a variety of means that propel individuals into altered states of consciousness. These techniques include

Think about something in psychology that you would be interesting in studying. You can select a topic from what you’ll be studying in this course or another topic that seems intriguing to you.

Next was Psychology. Psychology was by far, without a doubt, the most difficult class I had ever experienced. There was so much to remember, to read, to learn. If you did not study, there was no winging it; it would show in your work. This class truly tested your studying skills, and every time you thought you knew it, it turned out you got that confused with another thing. All in all, Psychology was confusing, hard, and a true introduction to college classes.

“Hey do you want some weed?” Said my freind, “No weed is for wackn’.” Drugs can dramatically change your life. Did you know there are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke? Don’t let drugs take over your life.

During this modern era it is highly likely that individuals during adolescence will begin to corrupt their minds by abusing drugs , including tobacco , alcohol and many other illegal prescriptions. The reason behind abusing drugs may vary from person to person however the coure foundation lies beneath the desire for new experiences , an attempt to deal with stress or depression and also peer pressure. Even though individuals strive to seek peace or joy through harmful substances in an unhealthy manner , there can be very serious long term consequences. Yet , many individuals start using “light” drugs and move on towards abusing deadly drugs . The gateway theory demonstrates a Popular theory that when adolescence use cannabis , later in life

I have studied not only Psychology in school but also English Language and Literature, all of these subjects will help me in my field of study. Psychology is based on the study of the mind, enabling a helpful starting point for studying Criminology. It has helped me analyse different aspects of the mind from many different perspectives and in turn I am able to use this in all aspects of my life now, not just in school but looking at different situations from different perspectives.

Ever since I was a kid the topic of substance abuse has been very familiar to me. Growing up I have watched my aunt drink her life away and I have lost my uncle who was very close to me from an overdose. It has affected me in ways I never knew. Unknowingly I have grown up to completely despise all addictive substances. I find myself wishing I could do more for the people who abuse drugs and alcohol. I find myself thinking about what could have been if I was there for my uncle, even though I was so young. It’s sad to think of all the young and old lives lost due to substance abuse, it’s sad to think that maybe they thought they had no purpose in life. Lately there have been dozens of high schoolers in my area that have been found overdosed

Over the course of this class I have pieced together many things about my own life that before went unnoticed. I am now able to see things in a bit of a different light. Now that I have been introduced to the realm of psychology I understand some of the reasons for behavior around me. I have learned that there is a reason for most everything and a lot of our behaviors and mental processes can be explained through psychology. Studies have been conducted for many years to try and pinpoint the source of our behavior and it is not something that most people think about every day. Having a better understanding of why we operate the way we do will help me to better understand myself and the others around me.

Ecstasy is both a hallucinogenic, causing hallucination, and a stimulant drug. Ecstasy is the name given to methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It was first synthesized in 1912 by Merck chemist Anton Köllisch. Ecstasy appears to disturb the body 's ability to regulate its temperature and this can lead to serious problems with overheating of the body. Ecstasy can be swallowed as a pill or tablet or snorted like a powder. Users of ecstasy can experience a rush of good feelings, a high, and makes someone 's feelings much more intense, whether they 're good or bad feelings. Ecstasy’s effects usually last up to 6 hours.

Since hunter-gatherers time, hallucinogens have been known to be used in tribal rituals. Such tribes believed in animism: unusual abilities and prudence can be derived from nature (e.g. plants) and the ‘spirits’ within them. Passing the knowledge down to the coming generations via shamans, whom by experience have mastered handling different hallucinogen containing-plants: to reach an altered state of mind. In the present, it is known that hallucinogens are banned in most parts of the world. However, aware of the power of hallucinogens, a query is raised as to whether this mind-altering strength can be harnessed to treat mental or physical ailments.

Many psychiatric and psychoactive drugs that are available on the market, pharmaceutically or illegally, closely resemble neurotransmitters and are actually able to mimic it to the extent that it fools the receptors. Basically, these drugs hijack the neurotransmitters. Once these drugs are ingested, it enters into the brain, gets into the synapse and binds itself to the receptor. This then causes the inappropriate release of neurotransmitters and alter the breakdown and recycling of neurotransmitters or can be used to destroy particular neurotransmitters completely (Sapolsky, 2005, p. 14).

Hallucinogenic drugs are drugs that cause hallucinations, or severe distortions, in the way the users perceive reality. Hallucinogenic drugs are often referred to as ‘psychedelic’ drugs or 'psychoactive' drugs due to the way they alter minds. People who use hallucinogenic often see, hear, feel, taste and smell imaginary things. The experience is sometimes described as a dream-like state. There are many different types of hallucinogenic drugs. People do sometimes associate hallucinogens with LSD, but there are various others including Ecstasy, PCP, Psilocybin, Mescaline, Ketamine and Peyote

Throughout the history of the human species, we have been always wanted to know three basic questions: why we are here, where did we come from, and where do we go after this life? Whether we were created from an omnipotent being as in many religions, we happened by chance and made it to where we are through evolution, or maybe even something else. Whatever the case may be, humans have always been curious and wondered about our existence and consciousness. Along with these age old questions, also came the use of psychoactive drugs and other mind altering substances. In order to try to understand these questions, humans have experimented with drugs that alter their state of consciousness.

I truly believe that psychology will help me greatly in the field of business management the reason for that being, we learned a lot this semester of all things we learning how to deal with stress had to be one my favorite. I plan on entering a field where the stress level is way above average, so therefore I will apply the techniques we used in class.