Question

The general term for drugs that act on the nervous system to alter states of consciousness, modify perceptions, and change moods is:

A.) antidepressants.
B.) psychoactive drugs.
C.) hallucinogens.
D.) prescription drugs.

Answer 1

Psychoactive drugs are substances that alter states of consciousness, modify perceptions, and change moods by affecting the brain's function. They can be prescription medications, legal substances, or illegal drugs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The general term for drugs that act on the nervous system to alter states of consciousness, modify perceptions, and change moods is psychoactive drugs. They are substances that change the function of the brain and result in alterations of mood, thinking, perception, and behavior. Psychoactive drugs can be prescription medications, legal substances, or illegal drugs.

These drugs are divided into different classes based on their pharmacological effects, including stimulants, depressants, anxiolytics, euphoriants, hallucinogens, and empathogens. Examples of psychoactive drugs include nicotine, alcohol, opioid painkillers, LSD, and heroin.

Psychoactive drugs generally produce their effects by affecting brain chemistry and may act as either agonists (enhancing the activity of neurotransmitters) or antagonists (decreasing the activity of neurotransmitters).