Drugs and Society Learning Journal Entry Mod. 6

In this module we learned about various topics such as marijuana, stimulants, and how drugs are used by some athletes. We learned about various stimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine, and caffeine, and the effect that they can have on the body. These drugs, in high doses, can be very dangerous as they effect the central nervous system and can cause symptoms such has rapid heart beat, dizziness, heart attack, and even death. From the video presentation the most interesting thing I found is the massive use of prescription stimulants in young adults between 18-34 and are being used in alarming rates. One of the most interesting things that I learned in this chapter was how cocaine was at first used as a medicine first by shamans in the form of coca leaves and then in a more concentrated form in the early 1900's where it was banned shortly after. We also learned about marijuana. Studies have shown that recent marijuana use has increased over the past 30 years, especially in high school students. Which marijuana can be seen as a relatively low harm drug, with potential for medicinal use, it has been shown it can act as a gateway drug to harder more dangerous drugs such as cocaine, and as itself can add a highly de-motivational or anti-motivational attitude in its users. One thing I learned this module that may help in the future is the medicinal side to marijuana. I used to believe that marijuana was purely a recreational drug with no benefits but studies have shown it may help greatly for people with medical disorders such as constant seizures. Lastly we learned athletes and their use of performance enhancing drugs, also known as "doping." This is a highly illegal and frowned upon practice as it devalues other athletes accomplishments who have trained hard without the aid of performance enhancing drugs. The most interesting thing I've learned in the discussions is how widely this practice is done from not only professional level athletes but amateur as well.

We only have 2 modules left before the final exam. I believe I have received the grades on my discussion questions based on the amount of time, effort, and research put into each question. I would give the advice to myself to keep up the good work and continue to put much thought and intrigue into my discussion questions to promote a lengthy, healthy discussion. I am still unsure about what future modules will be like but hopefully they will have room for healthy though-provoking discussions as well. What I am lacking in most is my quiz grades. I have revived grades such as 90's and 80's due to there only being 10 questions so I in the future will have to read questions more carefully because even one wrong could vastly impact my grade. Thank you and have a good evening.