How Do People Intentionally Alter Their States of Consciousness?

General Principles related to the use of drugs

Tolerance and Withdrawal Addiction

 Tolerance and Withdrawal

Tolerance is a condition in which higher doses of a drug are required to produce the same effect experienced during initial use. Withdrawal is the constellation of symptoms and signs that a person experiences when, after a period of regular use, the quantity of available substance in the brain is reduced.

 Addiction
Addiction is a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. The term has been partially replaced by the word dependence for substance abuse. Using drugs repeatedly over time changes brain structure and function in fundamental and long-lasting ways. Addiction comes about through an array of changes in the brain and the strengthening of new memory connections.

Hallucinogens
Psychoactive substances capable of producing hallucinations, or false perceptions, interfering with the normal consciousness of sensor input.
Mushrooms Mescaline Phencyclidine (PSP) Marijuana LSD

Stimulants
Impact consciousness by increasing alertness and mobility, while decreasing reaction time. In contrast to negative attitudes.
Caffeine Nicotine Cocaine and Amphetamine Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

Depressants
To slow down the activity of the nervous system, leading to reductions in alertness and anxiety. These drugs converge on the GABA receptor, combining them often results in a fatal level of nervous system inhibition
Alcohol Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates

 Opiates
- Opiate withdrawal refers to the wide range of symptoms that

occur after stopping or dramatically reducing opiate drugs after heavy and prolonged use (several weeks or more). Opiate drugs include heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone, and others.

Hypnosis
Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness whereby direct access is gained to the subconscious mind. It is a state of increased suggestibility. Once a suggestion is accepted by the subconscious it is automatically and uncritically acted upon.

Meditation
Meditation is commonly described as a training of mental
attention that awakens us beyond the conditioned mind and habitual thinking, and reveals the nature of reality.

Conclusion