Glossary

Opioids

Opioids are a class of drug that are commonly used to relieve pain. They can be either synthetic (man-made) or natural. Opioids work by directly communicating with nerve cells in the body to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. They also stimulate the reward centers of the brain, causing euphoria and a sense of satisfaction when taken. These factors make opioids incredibly addictive and easy to form dependencies on. Common opioids include codeine, fentanyl, heroin, and morphine.

Along with being highly addictive, opioids are extremely potent, which makes them easy to overdose on. In 2023, 81.4% of fatal drug overdoses in the U.S. involved at least one opioid. The reason opioid overdoses are so fatal is that high dosages restrict the parts of the brain responsible for regulating breathing. This is called respiratory depression, and it is the main cause of opioid overdose deaths. It is highly recommended to only take the prescribed amount and check in with one’s doctor frequently when using opioids to avoid potentially fatal accidents.

PCP ( Phencyclidine )

Phencyclidine, also known as PCP, Angel, or Angel Dust, is a synthetic dissociative drug that induces hallucinations and feelings of euphoria in those who take it. It was originally developed in 1950 for use as an intravenous anesthetic for surgeries, but was discontinued from use medically after it was linked to psychotic episodes in patients post-operation. Now, it is considered a Schedule II drug (only legal through nonrenewable prescription) and most often taken recreationally.

People who have taken PCP report feelings of detachment, floatiness, or dissociation from reality, as well as a dulled sense of self. High doses of PCP may result in psychosis and violent behavior, which may result in death due to recklessness. Low doses of PCP tend to do less harm psychologically, but may induce dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and a loss of coordination. The effects of PCP can last from 4 to 6 hours depending on dosage and personal tolerance.

Personality

Personality is an enduring set of traits and patterns that reflect how a person thinks, behaves, and feels. Personalities are long-standing and not easy to change, typically staying consistent throughout one’s life barring drastic circumstantial changes (i.e. brain trauma). The word itself comes from the Latin word “persona”, which refers to theatrical masks a performer puts on to conceal their identity and play a different character. 

The study of personality most likely began in ancient Greece with the physician Hippocrates and his theory of Humorism. Hippocrates believed that a person’s personality was heavily influenced by the distribution of four fluids in their body: blood from the heart, black bile from the kidneys, yellow bile from the liver, and phlegm from the lungs. According to humorist theory, one’s temperament at any given moment in time is determined by the circulation of these fluids through the organs of the body. This theory was widely discontinued following the medical advancements at the end of the 19th century that brought a greater understanding of the brain

Personality Disorder (General Definition)

Personality disorders are mental health conditions characterized by patterns of behavior that impact how a person thinks, behaves, and feels. The exact causes of personality disorders are unknown, but risk factors included genetics, childhood trauma/abuse, and culture, as different countries have noticeably different rates of personality disorders. For the U.S., around 9% of the adult population have some type of personality disorder. Many people with personality disorders find psychotherapy like CBT to be helpful as a form of treatment.

Personality disorders are categorized into three different clusters: A, B, and C. Cluster A is characterized by unusual patterns of thinking that impact a person’s perception of themselves and others, cluster B consists of patterns of erratic behavior and unstable emotions, and cluster C contains mostly anxiety-related disorders. Of the three clusters, cluster B is the most common, as it contains the two most frequently diagnosed personality disorders, borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.