https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya en-us 2017-01-21 04:42:21 UTC 2017-01-22 05:49:50 UTC hello@padlet.com ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148499667 Drugs are chemicals that affect the brain by tapping into its communication system and interfering with the way neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter. This similarity in structure fools receptors and allows the drugs to attach onto and activate the neurons. The drugs, even though they mimic the brain's own chemicals, they don't activate the neurons in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being transmitted through the network. When you're happy and the brain wants to reward you, the brain will flood your reward gate with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. When activated at normal levels, this system rewards our natural behaviors. Overstimulating the system with drugs, however, produces euphoric effects, which strongly reinforce the behavior of drug use- teaching the user to repeat it. This can lead to addiction. ]]> 2017-01-21 04:43:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148499667 ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148499878 Valium, also called diazepam, is a benzodiazepine, a class of drugs affecting neurotransmitters in the brain and primarily treat anxiety. Valium works by affecting chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety, and is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal, symptoms, or muscle spasms. Street names for valium are VS, yellow VS, Blue VS, benzos, etc. Valium is taken by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. There is also a liquid form of the drug, which should be measured out using a measuring device or measuring spoon. Some short term effects of Valium are anxiety, irritation, fever, rapid heart rate, stomach cramps, depression, and seizure. Some long term effects of Valium are memory loss, hallucinations, difficulty with breathing, slowed pulse, comas, and heart attacks. ]]> 2017-01-21 04:59:27 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148499878 ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148500142 2017-01-21 05:20:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148500142 ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148500147 Ritalin, also called methylphenidate, is a central nervous system stimulant that affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. Ritalin is used to treat ADD, ADHD, and narcolepsy. Street names for ritalin are kiddy coke, poor man's cocaine, uppers, Vitamin R, etc. Ritalin comes in pills, and are taken by mouth that must be chewed. Some short term effects are loss of appetite, increased heart rate, dilation of pupils, disturbed sleeping patterns, nausea, etc. Some long term effects of ritalin are permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, liver, kidney, and lung damage, destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed, malnutrition, etc. ]]> 2017-01-21 05:21:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148500147 ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148500210 2017-01-21 05:28:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148500210 ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148500325 LSD, also called lysergic acid diethylamide, is an extremely potent hallucinogen. LSD is produced from a fungus that grows on rye grass and manufactured from lysergic acid. This drug is usually ingested orally and absorbed from the gastrointestinal system. LSD alters perceptions by disrupting the action of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Studies suggest LSD acts on certain groups of serotonin receptors, and that its effects are most prominent in two brain regions: the cerebral cortex and the locus ceruleus. The cerebral cortex is involved in mood and perception, and the locus ceruleus receives sensory signals from all areas on the body. LSD has been used experimentally to treat neuroses, narcotic addiction, autism, alcoholism, etc. Street names for LSD are acid, blaze, blotter, cheer, dose, etc. LSD is usually taken orally. This drug may come in the form of a liquid solution which is odorless, colorless, and slightly bitter to the taste, and is sold in small vials. Some short term effects of LSD are high-blood pressure, hallucinations, becoming out of touch with reality, dilated pupils, etc. Some long term effects of LSD are drug tolerance, flashbacks, delusional behaviors, vision problems, etc.  ]]> 2017-01-21 05:37:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148500325 ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148543604 Ectasy, also called molly, is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. Ectasy was initially popular in night clubs but now they affect a broader range of people. Street names for ectasy are adam, bearis, candy, dancing shoes, etc. People who use ectasy usually take it in a capsule or tablet. Some short term effects of ectasy are impaired judgment, false sense of affection, confusion, depression, sleep problems, etc. Some long term effects of ectasy are long-lasting brain damage affecting thought and memory, damage to portions of the brain that regulates critical functions, depression, anxiety, etc.  ]]> 2017-01-22 05:16:00 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148543604 ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148543872 Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs in the world. Marijuana comes from the Indian hemp plant, and when sold, is a mixture of dried out leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds of the hemp plant. Street names for marijuana are pot, herb, weed, buds, blaze, etc. The most common method of using marijuana is to roll it into cigarettes, called joints, and smoke it. It can also be smoked in a pipe or bong. Some short-term effects of marijuana are short-term memory problems, severe anxiety, very strange behavior, panic, hallucinations, etc. Some long-term effects of marijuana are decline in IQ, poor school performance, higher chance of dropping out, impaired thinking, lower life satisfaction, etc. ]]> 2017-01-22 05:29:34 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148543872 ccnguyen108 https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148544484 2017-01-22 05:48:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ccnguyen108/x0s9kgb5ukya/wish/148544484