Gateway Drugs

Gateway Drugs

Believed to lead people to use

more harmful drugs.

Examples of Gateway Drugs

are Caffeine, Nicotine and
Alcohol
 Caffeine
• Naturally occurring substances found in leaves of certain plants.
Effects
Brain stimulant

Stimulant increases mental alertness attention

and energy

…as well as elevates blood pressure, heart rate and

respiration
Higher doses of caffeine
• Rise in body temperature
• Frequent urination
• Dizziness and headaches
• Rapid heartbeat, palpitations
• Restlessness and excitability
• Anxiety and irritability
• Trembling hands and sleeplessness
Nicotine
• Toxic colorless or yellowish oily liquid which is the main active
component of tobacco.
Effects
• Both stimulant and sedative (small doses)
Large amounts of Nicotine can

• Block the actions of autonomic nerve and skeletal muscle cells

• Increases heart rate
• Increases the rate at which muscles use oxygen
• Associated with raised alertness, extreme happiness, and a sensation
of being relaxed
• Nicotines are highly addictive that’s why smokers tend to do
it regularly
Alcohol
• A substance created when grains fruits or vegetables are fermented.
• Fermentation is the process that uses yeast or bacteria to change
sugars in food into alcohol.
Effects of alcohol
• Depressant – slows down function of central nervous system
• Slows down the messages traveling between the brain and body.

Drunkeness or
Intoxication
Too much alcohol intake can cause…
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Clumsiness
• Memory loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Passing out
• Coma
• death
Seatwork:
Answer page 390, Part A numbers 1 and 2

Assignment:
Answer Page 391, Part C.