Category: Psychology and Education

Select a psychoactive drug that is of pharmacological interest to you, but not one you will review as part of your Critical Review. For this paper, you may choose drugs of abuse; however, the paper must focus on the pharmacology of the drug and not on the social or addictive aspects. If you focus on addiction and social impact, your paper will not receive credit.

In addition to the text, research a minimum of three peer-reviewed articles published within the last five years on your selected drug. Prepare a three-page summary of the drug using the PSY630 Rapid Review Example paper (Links to an external site.) as a guide.

In your Rapid Review, analyze and explain the pharmacological aspects of the drug as they relate to the following: neurotransmitters affected, receptors, route of administration, half-life, doses, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, and other important facets of the drug. Explain these aspects of the drug in terms of the psychiatric disorders indicated for the drug and the issue(s) associated with that use. If there is no accepted therapeutic use for the drug, evaluate and describe the actions of the drug with regard to the abuse process.

The paper:

Must be three to five double-spaced pages in length, excluding title page and references page, and it must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. (Links to an external site.)
Must include a title page with the following:
Title of paper
Your name
Course name and number
Your instructors name
Date submitted
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must use at least three peer-reviewed sources in addition to the text.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Critical Review
The final assignment for this class will be a 10-page critical review of the drug treatment for a neuropsychological disorder.  The review will use peer-reviewed and/or scholarly sources to provide an evidence base for the evaluation of current drug treatment modalities for the disorder.

The paper will be evaluated on the inclusion of the following information.

Introduction:

Evaluate the disorder in terms of symptomatic and behavioral presentation. Include the time, course, and progression of the disorder. Evaluate and explain special features of the disease epidemiology including risk factors for development of the disorder, lifespan and reproductive factors increasing risk of developing the disorder, and any genetic, environmental, or behavioral factors that increase risk.

Theory:

Evaluate the predominant theory or theories regarding the biological basis of the disorder. Explain the disorder in terms of pertinent neurotransmitter and receptor theories and use your references to provide an evidence base for these theories. Analyze neurotransmitter system(s) involved in the pathology of the disorder, including a description of: 1) the involved neurotransmitter(s) and receptor(s), 2) regions of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nervous system) involved with any pathological anatomical changes, and 3) abnormalities of neural circuits and pathways. Include an explanation of how receptor agonists or antagonists would theoretically treat the disorder to reverse the pathology and restore normal function, or why they would be expected to improve symptoms.

Treatment:

Evaluate drug therapies for treating the disorder based on the current understanding of the biological basis of the disorder. Include a description of the behavioral symptoms and physical signs of the disorder, and identify the drug class(es) used in pharmacological therapy with a discussion of the mechanism of action of the drug class(es). Explain why the pharmacodynamics of the drug class(es) would affect the pathology of the disorder to restore function and/or improve symptoms. Include a discussion of the drug pharmacokinetics for each drug class. Provide examples of available marketed drugs within each class. Describe any drug side effects and/or adverse effects of the drug treatment and their biological basis, including issues related to contraindications, interactions, drug metabolism, and elimination. In addition, explain risks, benefits, and ethical implications for high-risk and exceptional treatment conditions.

Conclusion:

Summarize theories of neuropsychological disorders as they relate to principles of drug action for that selected disorder. Provide a synopsis of the evidence base that supports or disproves current theories regarding the pathology of the disorder, advantages and disadvantages of current drug treatment(s). Lastly, evaluate any controversies regarding ethical and/or risk-benefit perspectives associated with the current treatment(s). Describe possible areas for future research.

The paper:

Must be 10 to 12 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. (Links to an external site.)
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Students name
Course name and number
Instructors name
Date submitted
Must use at least six peer-reviewed and/or scholarly sources to provide an evidence base for your analysis. You may cite and reference the DSM-5 as one of your sources used for the grading credit.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Select a psychoactive drug that is of pharmacological interest to you, but not one you will review as part of your Critical Review. For this paper, you may choose drugs of abuse; however, the paper must focus on the pharmacology of the drug and not on the social or addictive aspects. If you focus on addiction and social impact, your paper will not receive credit.

In addition to the text, research a minimum of three peer-reviewed articles published within the last five years on your selected drug. Prepare a three-page summary of the drug using the PSY630 Rapid Review Example paper (Links to an external site.) as a guide.

In your Rapid Review, analyze and explain the pharmacological aspects of the drug as they relate to the following: neurotransmitters affected, receptors, route of administration, half-life, doses, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, and other important facets of the drug. Explain these aspects of the drug in terms of the psychiatric disorders indicated for the drug and the issue(s) associated with that use. If there is no accepted therapeutic use for the drug, evaluate and describe the actions of the drug with regard to the abuse process.

The paper:

Must be three to five double-spaced pages in length, excluding title page and references page, and it must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. (Links to an external site.)
Must include a title page with the following:
Title of paper
Your name
Course name and number
Your instructors name
Date submitted
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must use at least three peer-reviewed sources in addition to the text.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Critical Review
The final assignment for this class will be a 10-page critical review of the drug treatment for a neuropsychological disorder.  The review will use peer-reviewed and/or scholarly sources to provide an evidence base for the evaluation of current drug treatment modalities for the disorder.

The paper will be evaluated on the inclusion of the following information.

Introduction:

Evaluate the disorder in terms of symptomatic and behavioral presentation. Include the time, course, and progression of the disorder. Evaluate and explain special features of the disease epidemiology including risk factors for development of the disorder, lifespan and reproductive factors increasing risk of developing the disorder, and any genetic, environmental, or behavioral factors that increase risk.

Theory:

Evaluate the predominant theory or theories regarding the biological basis of the disorder. Explain the disorder in terms of pertinent neurotransmitter and receptor theories and use your references to provide an evidence base for these theories. Analyze neurotransmitter system(s) involved in the pathology of the disorder, including a description of: 1) the involved neurotransmitter(s) and receptor(s), 2) regions of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nervous system) involved with any pathological anatomical changes, and 3) abnormalities of neural circuits and pathways. Include an explanation of how receptor agonists or antagonists would theoretically treat the disorder to reverse the pathology and restore normal function, or why they would be expected to improve symptoms.

Treatment:

Evaluate drug therapies for treating the disorder based on the current understanding of the biological basis of the disorder. Include a description of the behavioral symptoms and physical signs of the disorder, and identify the drug class(es) used in pharmacological therapy with a discussion of the mechanism of action of the drug class(es). Explain why the pharmacodynamics of the drug class(es) would affect the pathology of the disorder to restore function and/or improve symptoms. Include a discussion of the drug pharmacokinetics for each drug class. Provide examples of available marketed drugs within each class. Describe any drug side effects and/or adverse effects of the drug treatment and their biological basis, including issues related to contraindications, interactions, drug metabolism, and elimination. In addition, explain risks, benefits, and ethical implications for high-risk and exceptional treatment conditions.

Conclusion:

Summarize theories of neuropsychological disorders as they relate to principles of drug action for that selected disorder. Provide a synopsis of the evidence base that supports or disproves current theories regarding the pathology of the disorder, advantages and disadvantages of current drug treatment(s). Lastly, evaluate any controversies regarding ethical and/or risk-benefit perspectives associated with the current treatment(s). Describe possible areas for future research.

The paper:

Must be 10 to 12 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. (Links to an external site.)
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Students name
Course name and number
Instructors name
Date submitted
Must use at least six peer-reviewed and/or scholarly sources to provide an evidence base for your analysis. You may cite and reference the DSM-5 as one of your sources used for the grading credit.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Critical Review
The final assignment for this class will be a 10-page critical review of the drug treatment for a neuropsychological disorder.  The review will use peer-reviewed and/or scholarly sources to provide an evidence base for the evaluation of current drug treatment modalities for the disorder.

The paper will be evaluated on the inclusion of the following information.

Introduction:

Evaluate the disorder in terms of symptomatic and behavioral presentation. Include the time, course, and progression of the disorder. Evaluate and explain special features of the disease epidemiology including risk factors for development of the disorder, lifespan and reproductive factors increasing risk of developing the disorder, and any genetic, environmental, or behavioral factors that increase risk.

Theory:

Evaluate the predominant theory or theories regarding the biological basis of the disorder. Explain the disorder in terms of pertinent neurotransmitter and receptor theories and use your references to provide an evidence base for these theories. Analyze neurotransmitter system(s) involved in the pathology of the disorder, including a description of: 1) the involved neurotransmitter(s) and receptor(s), 2) regions of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nervous system) involved with any pathological anatomical changes, and 3) abnormalities of neural circuits and pathways. Include an explanation of how receptor agonists or antagonists would theoretically treat the disorder to reverse the pathology and restore normal function, or why they would be expected to improve symptoms.

Treatment:

Evaluate drug therapies for treating the disorder based on the current understanding of the biological basis of the disorder. Include a description of the behavioral symptoms and physical signs of the disorder, and identify the drug class(es) used in pharmacological therapy with a discussion of the mechanism of action of the drug class(es). Explain why the pharmacodynamics of the drug class(es) would affect the pathology of the disorder to restore function and/or improve symptoms. Include a discussion of the drug pharmacokinetics for each drug class. Provide examples of available marketed drugs within each class. Describe any drug side effects and/or adverse effects of the drug treatment and their biological basis, including issues related to contraindications, interactions, drug metabolism, and elimination. In addition, explain risks, benefits, and ethical implications for high-risk and exceptional treatment conditions.

Conclusion:

Summarize theories of neuropsychological disorders as they relate to principles of drug action for that selected disorder. Provide a synopsis of the evidence base that supports or disproves current theories regarding the pathology of the disorder, advantages and disadvantages of current drug treatment(s). Lastly, evaluate any controversies regarding ethical and/or risk-benefit perspectives associated with the current treatment(s). Describe possible areas for future research.

The paper:

Must be 10 to 12 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. (Links to an external site.)
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Students name
Course name and number
Instructors name
Date submitted
Must use at least six peer-reviewed and/or scholarly sources to provide an evidence base for your analysis. You may cite and reference the DSM-5 as one of your sources used for the grading credit.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

I need 3-4 sentences each responding to these two discussion post. Either agreeing or disagreeing or giving more information on what their discussion post says. (2 responses)

1.Marijuana

Draw parallels among the various scientific and medical studies on marijuana.  What do they suggest?
Research has stated that the extreme use of marijuana can lead to symptoms of bronchitis, wheezing, or coughing. Smoking a little has shown little risk. A research study on marijuana found that smoking a joint a day for 7 years did not show any correlations with issues in pulmonary functions (Pletcher MJ, Vittinghoff E, Kalhan R, et al., 2012). Marijuana can increase heart rates and volume of blood pumped through the heart. Most risks are towards older users who have previous issues with cardiac or other health problems. Marijuana has its health risks, but is considered a lower risk than other drugs like tobacco, heroin and so on.

Is marijuana addictive?  Explain.
Marijuana doesn’t have addicting factors like other drugs. It does not share the same withdrawal experiences. But it does interact with pleasure zones in the brain and can create psychological dependence which may be an issue to break. Some withdrawal symptoms may include issues with sleeping, anxiety, or irritability. These are described to be mild. The Institute of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, said in a 1999 study that 32 percent of tobacco users become dependent, as do 23 percent of heroin users, 17 percent of cocaine users, and 15 percent of alcohol drinkers. But only 9 percent of marijuana users develop a dependence (Boffey, 2014).

Discuss the use of medical marijuana.
In 1985, it was used to help treat nausea for patients going through cancer treatment. The FDA approved oral THC (Hart, C. L. and Ksir, C., 2018). It was used to help stimulate appetites in patients with AIDS. Medical marijuana was used for therapeutic used to help with post-traumatic stress disorder, seizure control, and other mental health disorders. While smoking has its risk for lung and pulmonary issues, consuming edibles can have risks too. Consuming too much cannabis can create a cannabis induced psychosis with paranoia, confusion and hallucinations. In older people, this can lead to cardiac events. It is important to use the correct dose of marijuana medically, or even recreationally.

What do you think about the movement to legalize marijuana in America?  Explain.
Personally, THC itself has never been something I enjoyed medically or recreationally. My body reacts very sleepy and I do not feel like I am in full focus or control. I do prefer THC and CBD infused products to help me sleep or relaxing at the end of the day. There are products like oils, gummies and suckers which have low mgs inside that are therapeutic. I do not like smoking marijuana. I really like CBD products for anxiety support. I think it should be legalized for medical purposes and people should be responsible when they choose to use the drug. For example, not being high while working or driving. I have noticed many people in my life who are always high and I find it hard to understand how someone can constantly be high. I wonder how it affects them and how it benefits them. I personally can’t be high like that. Like any altering drug or product, it should be regulated. I think the age 21 is appropriate for marijuana. If a person under 21 needs it for medical purposes, I think it would be good for them to seek a doctor’s consent for this. Overall, Cannabis can be a very beneficial substance in many areas of mental and physical issues.

References:

Hart, C. L., & Ksir, C. (2018). Drugs, society & human behavior (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Pletcher MJ, Vittinghoff E, Kalhan R, et al. (2012) Association Between Marijuana Exposure and Pulmonary Function Over 20 Years. JAMA. 307(2):173181. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1961

Boffey, P. M. (2014, July 30). What Science Says About Marijuana. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/31/opinion/what-science-says-about-marijuana.html.

2. The typical opioid abuser has changed from the early 1900s to the present/ here is the evolution of that change. the typical opioid abuser in the early 1900s were middle-aged white women between the ages of 30 to 50 years old(Hart, Ksir 2018). It was considered mommy’s little helper and she was well adjusted in society. She often needed help dealing or coping with the stresses of parenthood. Then the Harrison act made the population of middle-aged white people decline. Now the typical abuser is done with prescription opioids and the youngest is 12 years old and older. Roughly 1.4 million Americans aged 12 and older reported using prescription opioids not related to pain(Hart, Ksir, 2018).  Sometimes these abusers needed the medication for pain and unfortunately get addicted to the pain killer and continue taking them.

The current medical uses for opioids include: pain relief of moderate to severe pain, relaxing the body, treating coughing, diarrhea, feelings of relaxation, and a high (2020, July 24).

If a person were to become addicted to any kind of opioid they will experience withdrawal symptoms should they stop ingesting the opioid. These symptoms are muscle pain, bone pain, sleep problems, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goosebumps, uncontrollable leg movements, severe cravings(2020, July 24).

Since opioids can cause the body to relax the muscles that are responsible for breathing cut oxygen off to the brain. The body loses control over the muscles for breathing. Since the brain needs oxygen to function this asphyxiates the brain causing a coma, permanent brain damage, or death(Ksir, Hart 2018).

Hart, C. L., & Ksir, C. (2018). Drugs, society & human behavior (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, July 24). Prescription opioids DrugFacts. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioid

:  Describe the different functions of the Right and Left hemisphere of the human brain. Part 2: Watch the following video about the two hemispheres of the human brain.  Discuss why normal interactions do not demonstrate a difference in behavior for split brain patients and normal people.  How do you think the coordinating aspects of our two connected hemispheres aid us in our everyday functioning? 

Write a reflection journaling report on how your two week went in applying the consciousness discipline you chose at the start of module 10 (that is, from among the three options).  The more specific details you can include in your report, the better your grade for this writing assignment is likely to be.  You should also include reflections on any ways that you could see adapting this discipline into the way you might like to live your life in the future.  You should write about 400 words — but you are welcome to write more if needed to tell your story.

Module 10: October 25 – 31 — Professional Challenges to Well-Being: Compassion Fatigue

To do:

For this segment of the course that is, for modules 10 and 11 we are going to shift to a different kind of well-being practice.  Its what I call a consciousness discipline, and you will pick JUST ONE.  You will have a choice from among three possible consciousness disciplines and youll try to apply it for this week of module 10 and for the following week of module 11.  As you have before, take some notes daily about how it goes.  You will be completing a journal report at the end of module 11 concerning the work you have done with the one practice you select.  Here are the options:

Each morning when you get up, write down three positive expectations for the day; and at the end of the day write down three things for which you are grateful which happened in that day just ending.  We can think of this option as the brief journaling for optimism and for gratitude  (BJOG).  For the morning-time positive expectations, let them be things around which you have some control.  For example, don’t pick “I expect it will not rain today” or “I expect my boyfriend will be in a good mood.”  Instead, you can pick positive things you expect yourself to do (such as “I will work on my homework without distractions for two hours”) and things that are more internal about attitudes and emotions (such as, “I will remain patient even when unexpected, annoying things arise”).
Each day for the week, try your best to talk about other people only in the way that you would if that person were present to hear what you are saying about him or her.  We can think of this option as a way to cultivate greater self-awareness about social relationships and to be compassionate in how we think about and how we talk about others.  We could call it the compassionate social intelligence discipline (CSI)
Try throughout the day to make eye-contact with others as you listen to them and as you talk to them.  Allow this action to be an expression of your full attention to them.  Its a way to reinforce seeing and caring about others.  We could call it simply paying attention with eye contact (PAEC)

Module 11: November 1 – 7 — The Metrics of Well-Being

To do:

Continue with your chosen “consciousness discipline.”  That’s the practice you chose (from among the three options listed in the lesson plan for module 10). This coming weekend you will be writing your  journal post, and it will be a narrative about your experiences for the two weeks of applying it.   

Review the Interview Answers template that you will use to complete this assignment.
Locate two credible sources to support your answers.
In your paper

Answer the interview questions provided on the template.
For each question, you should

Illustrate your response with detailed classroom examples relating to the interview question.
Communicate critical thinking and analysis of interview questions in each response.
Use at least one credible source to support each answer.