CHD 440 (NU course)

Discusses the botany of marijuana, reasons for its use, effects and side effects, including respiratory system involvement, cognition, memory, motivation, tracking ability, and mental stability. Also covered are levels of use, compulsion, tolerance, withdrawal, and recovery.

Using interviews with methamphetamine addicts and professional health care workers, this video discusses in sometimes graphic detail the profound physical and psychological effects on the body of the use of this insidious family of drugs.

Examines the powerful stimulant cocaine and its smokeable form crack. Looks at cocaine's effect on the body's energy supplies and the reward reinforcement center; the neurochemical effects of chronic and high-dose use, the reasons compulsion and addiction develop; treatment strategies when users want to recover. Shows how cocaine triggers a rush, euphoria, and increased energy that can just as quickly give way to anger, exhaustion, unwanted fetal effects, cardiovascular impairment, and intense craving that leads to compulsive use. Precise computer animation of neurochemical processes in the brain, compelling interviews with practicing and recovering cacaine abusers, and excerpts from powerful treatment and group sessions gives a comprehensive view of the physical, mental, emotional and societal ramifications of cocaine use.

Describes the effects based on blood alcohol levels and length of use; the neurochemistry of tolerance and withdrawal; emotional and physical reasons for drinking and craving; genetic and environmental contributions to alcoholism; causes for different levels of drinking; social effects of drinking; effects on the developing fetus, and treatment and recovery strategies.

First section focuses on psychedelics such MDMA ("ecstasy"), GHB and GBL (blue nitro"), LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, peyote, and ketamine. Second part concentrates on inhalants such as nitrous oxide, volatile solvents (glue, gasoline), and volatile nitrites. Examines the physiological and psychological affects on the drugs on memory, mood, and health consequences of long term use.