Need help with my writing homework on Chemical Substances with Psychoactive Effect. Write a 1250 word paper answering;

Need help with my writing homework on Chemical Substances with Psychoactive Effect. Write a 1250 word paper answering; Even today coffee, which contains the psychotropic substance caffeine, and alcohol are consumed frequently to alter the mood of the individual on a recreational basis.

The ability of psychoactive substances to alter the functioning of the brain temporarily has led to its use in the treatment and management of conditions and diseases that involve the brain. There are many examples for this like the use of stimulants in the treatment of narcolepsy and attention disorders and narcotics in the management of pain. Other examples that stand out are the use of anti-depressants and antipsychotics in the treatment and management of neurological and psychiatric illnesses.

These beneficial aspects of psychoactive substances are however marred by the fact that many of these psychotropic substances can be habit-forming, thus leading to substance abuse and lead to massive costs to society. Thus psychoactive drugs give rise to controversy in respects to the risks and benefits that it poses to society and the kind of laws that need to be in place to regulate its use. (1)

Stimulants are psychoactive drugs that cause a temporary enhancement of alertness and wakefulness in an individual. Besides stimulating the central nervous system, a majority of the stimulants also cause an enhanced functioning of the sympathetic nervous system, which could lead to euphoria and recreational abuse of the drug. The therapeutic use of stimulants is to maintain or increase alertness in situations when sleep as a result of normal fatigue is not desirable. It is also used in abnormal conditions like narcolepsy, where there is diminished alertness. Stimulants also find use to boost endurance and productivity and to suppress appetite. Commonly used stimulants are amphetamines, nicotine, coffee, and cocaine.