Final answer:
True, individuals on certain psychoactive drugs can exhibit unpredictable behavior and diminished pain perception due to the mood-altering and perception-changing effects of these substances.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, people on certain psychoactive drugs can be unpredictable and may feel little or no pain in a physical confrontation. Psychoactive drugs have the ability to alter mood, perceptions, thinking, and behavior, which can sometimes lead to addiction. Drugs such as opioids, which are one class of psychoactive substances, can cause significant alterations in perception, including the sensation of pain. Opioids like OxyContin can lead to addiction even when used as prescribed, and withdrawal from these substances can contribute to a continuation of use due to the misunderstanding of withdrawal symptoms for pain.
Anxiolytics are a type of psychoactive drug that might be prescribed by a physician to address anxiety and are known to activate receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA, which generally has a depressant effect on the nervous system, leading to reduced nervous activity. In contrast, opioid drugs can result in a lack of awareness to physiological responses, therefore affecting the intensity of emotions and pain perception as discussed in the research conducted by Chwalisz, Diener, & Gallagher (1988).