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More Resources for Kids and Teens
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A-D | E-H | I-L | M-R | S-W | U-Z
A
Addiction: A chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and abuse and by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain. [1]
Adrenal glands: Glands, located above each kidney that secrete hormones, e.g., adrenaline.
[3]
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): A condition characterized by a defect in the body's natural immunity to diseases. Individuals who suffer from it are at risk for severe illnesses that are usually not a threat to anyone whose immune system is working properly. [8]
Amphetamine: Stimulant drugs whose effects are very similar to cocaine. [5]
Amyl nitrite: A yellowish oily volatile liquid used in certain diagnostic procedures and prescribed to some patients for heart pain. Illegally diverted ampules of amyl nitrite are called "poppers" or "snappers" on the street. [9]
Anabolic effects: Drug-induced growth or thickening of the body's nonreproductive tract tissues-including skeletal muscle, bones, the larynx, and vocal cords-and decrease in body fat. [2]
Analgesics: A group of medications that reduce pain. [2]
Androgenic effects: A drug's effects upon the growth of the male reproductive tract and the development of male secondary sexual characteristics. [2]
Anesthetic: An agent that causes insensitivity to pain and is used for surgeries and other medical procedures. [6]
Aplastic anemia: A disorder that occurs when the bone marrow produces too few of all three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. [9]
Axon: The fiber-like extension of a neuron by which the cell carries information to target cells. [5]
Axon terminal: The structure at the end of an axon that produces and releases chemicals (neurotransmitters) to transmit the neuron's message across the synapse. [5]
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B
Benzene: A volatile liquid solvent found in gasoline. [9]
Bind: The attaching of a neurotransmitter or other chemical to a receptor. The neurotransmitter is said to "bind" to the receptor. [5]
Brainstem: The major route by which the forebrain sends information to, and receives information from, the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. [5]
Butane: A substance found in lighter fluid. [9]
Butyl nitrite: An illegal substance that is often packaged and sold in small bottles; also referred to as "poppers." [9]
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C
Cannabinoid receptor: The receptor in the brain that recognizes anandamide and THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. [5]
Cannabinoids: Chemicals that help control mental and physical processes when produced naturally by the body and that produce intoxication and other effects when absorbed from marijuana. [1]
Cannabis: The botanical name for the plant from which marijuana comes. [5]
Carcinogen: Any substance that causes cancer. [1]
Cardiovascular system: The heart and blood vessels. [2]
Cell body (or soma): The central structure of a neuron, which contains the cell nucleus. The cell body contains the molecular machinery that regulates the activity of the neuron. [5]
Central nervous system: The brain and spinal cord. [5]
Cerebellum: A portion of the brain that helps regulate posture, balance, and coordination. [5]
Cerebral cortex: Region of the brain responsible for cognitive functions including reasoning, mood, and perception of stimuli. [4]
Cerebral hemispheres: The two specialized halves of the brain. The left hemisphere is specialized for speech, writing, language, and calculation; the right hemisphere is specialized for spatial abilities, face recognition in vision, and some aspects of music perception and production. [5]
Cerebrum: The upper part of the brain consisting of the left and right hemispheres. [5]
Chloroform: A colorless volatile liquid used as a medical anesthetic gas. [9]
Chronic: Refers to a disease or condition that persists over a long period of time. [5]
Coca: The plant, Erythroxylon, from which cocaine is derived. Also refers to the leaves of this plant. [6]
Cocaethylene: A substance created in the body when cocaine and alcohol are used together; chemically similar to cocaine. [6]
Cocaine: A highly addictive stimulant drug derived from the coca plant that produces profound feelings of pleasure. [5]
Crack: "Slang" term for a smokeable form of cocaine. [6]
Craving: A powerful, often uncontrollable desire for drugs. [3]
Cyclohexyl nitrite: A chemical found in substances marketed as room deodorizers. [9]
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References:
| 1. | National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Marijuana Abuse, Glossary
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/
NIH Pub. No. 02-3859. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. October 2002. | | 2. | National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Steroid Abuse and Addiction, Glossary
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/
NIH Pub. No. 00-3721. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1991. Reprinted 1994, 1996. Revised April 2000.
| | 3. | National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Nicotine Addiction, Glossary
http://www.drugabuse.gov/researchreports/nicotine/nicotine5.html
NIH Pub. No. 01-4342. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed July, 1998. Reprinted August 2001. | | 4. | National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs, Glossary
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/hallucinogens/
NIH Pub. No. 01-4209. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed March 2001. | | 5. | National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction, Glossary
http://www.drugabuse.gov/Curriculum/HSCurriculum.html
NIH Pub. No. 00-4871. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 2000.
| | 6. | National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report- Cocaine Abuse and Addiction, Glossary
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Cocaine/cocaine5.html
NIH Pub. No. 99-4342, Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed May 1999. Revised November 2004 | | 8. | National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts: Drug Abuse and AIDS
http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/drugabuse.html
| | 9. | National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report- Inhalants Abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Inhalants/
NIH Pub. No. 00-3818, Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1994, Reprinted 1996, 1999. Revised July, 2000, Revised 2005 |
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