The Effects of Drugs on Perception

By: Iris Jardiel and Alex Dean

Perception

Definition: Understanding through senses of the mind.

Psychology: “A single unified awareness derived from sensory processes while a stimulus is present.”

perception. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perception

Marijuana

A usual “high” from smoking weed will last two to three hours. Within this time, a person’s vision will consist of brighter colors and patterns become clearer. Some people also have trouble with problem solving and thinking right away.

Users claim to experience a state of “euphoria” or intense happiness.

T, Buddy. "Effects of Marijuana." About.com. Medical Review Board, 05 Mar 2011. Web. November 15, 2011. <http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.-Lya.htm>.

LSD

LSD causes a temporary state of “synesthesia”, which is when your senses get switched around. Example: instead of hearing a sound, you would see or taste it.

The five senses become more intense.

"What Are the Effects of LSD?." About.com. NIDA, 10 Jan 2011. Web. November 15, 2011. <http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/lsd/f/lsd_faq04.htm>.

Cocaine

Cocaine does not have an affect on the body’s senses. It makes time seem to go by faster and intensifies responses and reactions. People tend to talk a lot more after using cocaine.

http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cocaineLast updated: 28 February 2011

Ecstasy

Ecstasy causes the serotonin in your brain to be taken away. This causes a big change in hostility, sexual activity, dormancy patterns, nerve sensitivity, and can also cause depression. Most users claim to experience a “high energy” sensation.

http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/ecstasyLast updated: 4 February 2011

Opiates

Opiates can make people feel like they’re experiencing no pain. This is an example of altered perception.

Opiates can cause violent withdrawals and depression.

http://www.opiates.org/opiates.htmCopyright 2004-2011Last accessed November 14, 2011

Phencyclidine (PCP) PCP’s effects on behavior depends on the dose

that you take. Some effects include poor balance, convulsions, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and violence.

PCP affects perception the most out of all drugs because it makes the user perceive that they are invincible.

. "What are the effects of pcp?." about.com. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 10 Jan 2011. Web. 15 Nov 2011. <http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/lsd/f/lsd_faq05.htm>. ("about.com")

Methamphetamines Meth causes a person to feel more

energy and jitteriness. It also causes a loss of appetite and increased breathing.

T, Buddy. about.com. Medical Review Board, 20 Jun 2011. Web. 27 Nov 2011. <http://alcoholism.about.com/od/meth/a/effects.-Lx6.htm>.

Magic Mushrooms (Shrooms)

“Shrooms” are known for their big tendency to cause hallucinations. Users will also experience paranoia and a wide range of different moods. People claim to experience “good trips” and “bad trips”, depending on the amount taken.

"Mushroom Effects." Thegooddrugsguide.com. TheGoodDrugsGuide.com, 2011. Web. 27 Nov 2011. http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/mushrooms/effects.htm.

Ketamine (special k)

Ketamine is a drug that veterinarians give to pets as anesthesia. It is a hallucinogenic and can have different effects on people based on the dose being consumed. Some effects are anxiety, feeling panicked, heavy sweating, weird behavior, and convulsions.

http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/ketamineLast updated: 2 Feb 2011

Prescription drugs

Prescription drugs often contain opioids. Opioids cause drowsiness, dangerously slowed down breathing, slow heart rate, and anxiety.

People who abuse prescription drugs tend to experience a “high” where they can’t feel anything and become numb to whatever goes on around them.

"Prescription Medications." USA.gov. US Department of Healthy Human Services, n.d. Web. <http://drugabuse.gov/drugpages/prescription.html>.Last accessed: November 15, 2011

Sources

www.jiskha.com/health/.../cocaine_and_perception.html http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/mushrooms http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/methamphetamines http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/ketamine http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/phencyclidine http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cocaine http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/heroin http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/ecstasy http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/lsd