How Do Drugs Affect The Brain?
Misuse or abuse of substances can trigger issues due to the impact of drugs on the brain. Even occasional drug or alcohol consumption may give rise to long-term physical and mental health complications. Grasping how drugs influence the brain is vital for anticipating what lies ahead during drug therapy and sustained addiction recovery.
Drugs can generally fit into three main categories:
- Stimulants
- Depressants
- Hallucinogens
Each of these categories can have sub-categories that fit under the umbrella of the main category. These categories include legal and illegal drugs, as many legal substances can be highly addictive.
How Do Stimulant Drugs Affect the Brain?
Stimulant drugs include:
- Cocaine
- Crack
- Methamphetamine (meth)
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Prescription drugs, like:
- Adderall
- Concerta
- Ritalin
People who take these drugs will feel physical effects like:
- Increased heart rate
- Elevated body temperature
- High blood pressure
- Burst of energy
- Heightened alertness and focus
- Possibly feeling powerful or invulnerable
Stimulants cause you to feel energized and alert by artificially increasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that your brain releases naturally to help you take action, work, and focus.
When you abuse stimulants, you might have some of the following short- and long-term mental and physical side effects:
- Weight loss
- Sweating
- Twitching
- Paranoia
- Racing thoughts
- Impulsivity
- Anxiety
- Anger and agitation
- Racing thoughts
How Do Depressants Affect the Brain?
Depressants include substances like:
- Alcohol
- Opioids (heroin, oxycodone, morphine)
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin)
- Barbituates
- Sleeping pills
While under the influence of depressants, you will experience some of the following physical effects:
- Feeling relaxed or euphoric
- Drowsy and sleepy
- Decreased heart rate
- Slowed breathing
- Delayed reaction time
Depressants increase the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps you sleep and reduces anxiety to help you relax. Releasing too much GABA can be harmful to your physical and mental well-being.
The short- and long-term side effects of depressants include:
- Lowered inhibitions
- Impaired judgment
- Loss of coordination
- Risk of physical injury
- Blackouts and memory loss
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
Are Opioids a Sub-Category of Depressants?
However, when discussing the effects on the brain and CNS, opioids and other depressants have essentially the same impact. Alcohol and opioids are also among the most addictive substances due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
What Are Hallucinogens?
- Common hallucinogens include:
- Ketamine
- LSD
- PCP
- Mescaline
- DMT
Hallucinogens interfere with the neurotransmitters serotonin and glutamate, which are responsible for essential functions like:
- Emotions and mood
- Sensory input
- Appetite
- Muscle control
- Pain perception
Using hallucinogens can cause some of the following short- and long-term side effects:
- Altered sense of time
- Increased heart rate
- Intense feelings and sensations
- Panic and paranoia
- Lack of coordination
- Sleep disturbances
- Flashbacks (unexpected hallucinations when not using drugs)
- Psychosis, which includes:
- Seeing things that are not there
- Hearing voices
- Disorganized thinking
Other Commonly Used Substances
Substances that can fit under multiple categories include:
- Marijuana
- MDMA (molly or ecstasy)
- Kratom
- Synthetic cathinones (bath salts)
- Synthetic cannabinoids
Can You Recover From the Effects of Drugs on the Brain
Your brain and body can repair themselves from the damage of drugs; however, you need to give yourself time. By getting substance abuse treatment, you can safely detox to get rid of the harmful chemicals in your body. Inpatient drug rehab can help you learn to maintain lifelong sobriety and understand underlying issues at the root of your addiction. Peer support and outpatient services can help you stay sober as you rebuild your life throughout long-term addiction recovery.