The impact of recreational drugs on health
In a nutshell
A drug is a chemical that affects the body's processes. This summary covers the seven characteristics of all living things and the different drugs that affect them.
Life processes
All organisms have seven characteristics that identify them as being alive. You can remember them using the acronym MRS GREN.
Movement | All organisms can move. |
Respiration
| All organisms carry out a series of reactions that convert sugars into usable energy (respiration).
|
Sensitivity
| All organisms can detect changes in their environment. |
Growth
| All organisms can grow. |
Reproduction
| All organisms can reproduce to make offspring. |
Excretion
| All organisms excrete waste. |
Nutrition
| All organisms need nutrients. |
Drugs
Drugs are chemicals that affect the body's life processes. Depending on the laws of a country, a drug can be classed as legal or illegal (against the law).
Types of drugs
There are two main types of drugs.
Type | Explanation | Example |
| Medicines
| These are drugs that diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.
| Legal: paracetamol and aspirin. |
| Recreational drugs | These are drugs that are taken for pleasure and are not medicinal.
| Legal: alcohol (over age 18). Illegal: Marijuana (in the UK). |
Solvents
Abusing solvents can cause people to hallucinate and see or hear things that aren't real. This can cause damage to organs like the heart and lungs
Examples
Glue, paint and aerosols are three examples of solvents found around the home.
Alcohol
It is legal for adults over the age of 18 to buy and consume alcohol. Alcohol slows down reaction times by decreasing brain activity. It also can damage the liver.
Examples
Beer, wine and rum are all examples of alcohol.
Illegal recreational drugs
Drugs can be classified based on how they affect the body's processes.
TYPE | GROUP
| EFFECT |
| Barbiturates
| Depressants
| These drugs slow down brain activity and as a result, they slow reaction time. Barbiturates can be highly addictive.
|
| Amphetamines | Stimulants
| These drugs cause an increase in dopamine production which produces a 'feel-good effect' which is addictive.
|
| Opiates | Analgesics
| These drugs block pain signals and are highly addictive.
|
| LSD | Hallucinogens
| These drugs affect the senses and can lead to risky behaviours.
|
