DRUG ABUSE AND ITS EFFECTS ON

HUMAN BODY

Project Report
in
BIOLOGY
2024 - 2025
Submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirement of class XII (CBSE)

MANEESWAR M J
[Reg No: ]
Under the guidance of
Mr. Ramesh

Kanna International School (CBSE)

Malayadikurichi
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled “DRUG
ABUSE AND ITS EFFECTS ON HUMAN BODY” is
done by MANEESWAR M J of class XII of Kanna
International School (CBSE) Malayadikurichi, has completed
his project as a part of BIOLOGY under my supervision. He
has taken proper care and shown at most sincerity in the
completion of this project.

I certify that this project is upto my expectation as per

the guidelines issued by CBSE.

Principal

Submitted for the viva-voce conducted on ,

at Kanna International School (CBSE) Malayadikurichi.

Internal examiner External examiner

 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the Investigatory project entitled

“DRUG ABUSE AND ITS EFFECTS ON HUMAN
BODY” has been carried out by my own effort and facts
arrived at my observation under the guidance and motivation
of my subject teacher “Mr. Ramesh”.

Date:

Place:
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank God for being able to complete this

project with success.

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to

my teacher Mr. Ramesh as well as principal Mrs. Prema
Saravanan who gave me the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project on the topic “DRUG ABUSE AND ITS
EFFECTS ON HUMAN BODY” , which helped me learn a
lot of things.

I also came to know about so many new things. I am

really thankful to them. Secondly, I would also like to thank
my parents and friends who helped me in finalizing this
project within the limited time frame.

MANEESWAR M J
 INDEX

CONTENT PAGE NO.

Introduction
Aim

Drug Abuse
Types of Drugs

Symptoms of Drug addiction

Effects of drug abuse

Tobacco abuse

Effects of tobacco abuse

Conclusion

Bibliography
AIM
INTRODUCTION
 • What is meant by a DRUG?
Any substance, other than food, used in the
prevention, diagnosis, all aviation or a treatment of a disease is
called a drug. A drug is also be defined as a chemical which,
when taken in some way after the body function. The drug is
also known as a medicine. Generally, the term drugs applied to
any stimulating or depressing substance that can be habituating
or addictive

• Meaning of Addiction:
Addiction is a habitual, psychological and
physiological dependence on a substance or a practice which is
beyond voluntary control. A person who is habituated to a
substance or a practice, especially a harmful one, is called an
addict
AIM
 DRUG
ABUSE

Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is the

use of a drug in amounts or by methods that are
harmful to the individual or others. It is a form of a
substance-related disorder. Differing definitions of
drug abuse are used in public health, medical, and
criminal justice contexts. In some cases, criminals or
anti-social behavior occurs when the person is under
the influence of a drug, and long-term personality
changes in individuals may also occur. In addiction
to possible physical, social and psychological harm,
the use of some drugs may also lead to criminal
penalties, although these vary widely depending on
the local jurisdiction.
Drugs most often associated with this term include
Alcohol,
Amphetamines,Barbiturates,Benzodiazepines,Canna
bis, Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Methaqualone and
Opioids.
TYPES OF
DRUGS
Drugs can be classified by the way in which they
affect our bodies:
*Depressants-slow down the function of the central
nervous system
*Hallucinogens-affect the senses and change the way
you see, hear, taste, smell or feel things
*Stimulants-speed up the function of the central
nervous system
Some drugs affect the body in many ways and can fall
into more than one category. For example, cannabis
appear in all the three categories.

★Depressants:
Depressants slow down the messages between the
brain and the body-they don’t necessarily make you
feel depressed. The slower messages affect:
• Your concentration and coordination
• Your ability to respond to what’s happening
around you
• Small doses of depressants can make you feel
relaxed, calm and less inhibited
• Larger doses can cause sleepiness, vomiting and
nausea, unconsciousness and even death

Examples include:
·alcohol
·Benzodiazepines(minor tranquillisers such as
valium)
·cannabis
·GHB(gamma-hydroxybutyrate)
·ketamine
·opioids(heroin, morphine, codeine)
 ★Hallucinogens:
Hallucinogens change your sense of reality-you can
have hallucinations. Your sense are distorted and the
way you see, hear, taste, smell or feel things is
different. For example, you may see or hear things
that are not really there, or you may have unusual
thoughts or feelings.

Small doses can cause a feeling of floating,

numbness, confusion, disorientation or dizzyness

Larger doses may cause hallucinations, memory loss,

distress, anxiety, increased heart rate, paranoia, panic
and agression.
Examples include:
·cannabis
·ketamine
·LSD(lysergic acid diethylamide)
·psilocybin(magic mushrooms

★Stimulants:
Stimulants speed up the messages between the brain
and the body. This can cause:

×your heart to beat fast

×your blood pressure to go up
×your body temperature to go up-leading to heat
exhaustion or even heart stroke
×reduced appetite
×agitation
×sleeplessness
You can feel more awake, alert, confident or
energetic. Larger doses can cause anxiety, panic,
seizures, stomach cramps and paranoia.

Examples include:

•Amphetamines(speed and ice)

•caffeine
•cocaine
 •ecstacy(MDMA-
methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
•nicotine(tobacco)
Common groups of drugs:

Drugs can also be grouped by how or where they are

commonly used.
★Analgesics:
Analgesics- or painkillers – relieve the symptoms of
pain. Some people take more than the recommended
dose to get high, or to self-harm. They can also be
overused by people who have chronic pain.

Some are available over the counter, such as:

•aspirin
•paracetamol
 •ibuprofen

Others require a prescription from a doctor, such as:

•codeine and paracetamol combination products
•fentanyl
•morphine
•oxycodone
•pethidine
 ★Inhalants:
Inhalants are substances that you breathe in through
the nose(sniffing) or mouth. They are absorbed into
the bloodstream very quickly, giving the user an
intermediate high.

There are four main types of inhalants:

liquids that turn into a gas at room

~Volatile solvents-
temperatures-for example, paint thinners and
removers, glues, petrol and correction fluid(liquid
paper)

~Aerosol sprays-forexample, spray paints, deodorants

and hairsprays, fly sprays and vegetable oil sprays

~Gases-forexample, nitrogen oxide(laughing gas),

propane, butane(cigarette lighters), helium

~Nitrites-for example, room deodorisers and leather

cleaners.

Most of these are depressants, except for nitrites.

 ★Opioids:
Opioids are a type of painkiller that can be made from
poppy plants(heroin) or produced
synthetically(fentanyl). Also called opiates or
narcotics, they are addictive as they can give you a
feeling of well-being or euphoria.

Examples include:
•codeine
•heroin
•methadone
•oxycodone
 ★Party drugs:
Party drugs are a group of stimulants and
Hallucinogens. They are often used by young people
in an attempt to enhance a party, festival or concert
experience. However, dozens of Australians become
seriously ill or die after using party drugs each year.

The most common party drug is ecstasy (MDMA),

but the pulse/tablets/capsules are of variable purity or
don’t actually contain any MDMA and may contain a
wide range of other substances. You cannot be sure
what you’re talking and the risks to your health are
high.

★Prescription drugs:
Medicines prescribed by a doctor-also known as
pharmaceuticals – that are not being used
appropriately can cause harm, both short and long
term. People assume that all prescribed medicines are
safe, but not following instructions or combining
them with other medicines, drugs and/or alcohol can
be dangerous.

Examples include:
•painkillers-codeine, oxycodone
•sedatives and sleeping pills-Benzodiazepines

★Psychoactive drugs:
Psychoactive drugs affect the way you think, feel and
behave. They act mainly on the central nervous
system, changing the brain functions and temporarily
changing your consciousness.

Examples include:
•caffeine
•cannabis
•psilocybin(magic mushrooms)
•LSD

•Synthetic drugs:
Synthetic drugs are a range of drugs that have been
developed to
create similar effects to banned drugs. These new
psychoactive
substances are being developed quickly, trying to stay
ahead of the law. They are also called “legal highs”,
although in most cases they are not legal.
Because they are not regulated or tested and change
constantly there is not a lot of information about their
effects and side-effects. You cannot be sure what you
are taking or how it will affect you.

Examples include:
•synthetic cannabis
•NBOMe(N-methoxybenzyl) – similar effects to
LSD
SYMPTOMS OF
DRUG
ADDICTION
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviours include,
among others:

•Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly daily

or even several times a day

•Having intense urges for the drug that block out any
other
thoughts

•Overtime, needing more of the drug to get the same

effect

•Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer

period of time that you intended

•Making certain that you maintain a supply of the

drug

•Spending money on the drug, even though you can’t

afford it

•Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or

cutting back on social or recreational activities
because of drug use

•Continuing to use the drug, even though you know

it’s causing problems in your life or causing you
physical or psychological harm

•Doing things to get the drug you normally wouldn’t

do, such as stealing

•Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re

under the influence of the drug

•Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using

the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug

•Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug

•Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you

attempt to stop taking the drug
EFFECTS OF
DRUG
ABUSE
Drugs and alcohol have various effects on both

mental and physical health. The short-term effects

may depend on the amount used, the potency of

purity of the substance, and whether it is mixed or

used in combination with any other mind-altering

substances. Drugs and alcohol can affects a person’s

thinking, mood, energy level and perception. They

may impair motor functioning, interfere with

decision-making and problem-solving, and reduce

inhibition, as well as cause a host of physical health

problems. Some of the more common substances of

abuse include alcohol, hallucinogens, Opioids,

Benzodiazepines and inhalants, each of which

produce their own unique effects.

Some are:

~Coma

~Hallucinations

~Synesthesia, or mixing of senses

~Significant anxiety or depression

~Initial euphoric rush followed by apathy

~Unease or dysphoria

~Nausea

~Vertigo

~Respiratory depression

~Trouble concentrating

~Memory problems

~Stupor

~Apathy
 ~Delusions

~Lethargy

~Slowed or delayed reflexes

~Impaired coordination

★SIDE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ABUSE:

~Liver cancer

~Pancreatitis

~Cardiomyopathy(stretching and weakening of heart

muscle)

~Irregular heart rhythm

~High blood pressure

~Increased risk of accidents, violence, suicide

 ★SIDE EFFECTS OF HALLUCINOGENS ABUSE:

~Persistent memory impairments

~Psychological dysfunction

~Neuroendocrine changes

~Damage to neuronal axons, which impacts impulse

conduction

~Decreased functional connectivity between brain

areas

★SIDE EFFECTS OF OPIOID ABUSE:

~Severe constipation and related gastrointestinal

conditions(eg., bowel obstruction, bowel perforation)

~Sexual dysfunction
~Irregular menses in women

~HIV or hepatitis virus contraction

~Infection of the heart lining

~Irritation of nasal lining

~Perforation of nasal septum

~Nasal bleeding

★SIDE EFFECTS OF BENZODIAZEPINES ABUSE:

~Impaired thinking, memory and judgment

~Disorientation

~Confusion

~Slurred speech

~Muscle weakness

~Lack of coordination
★SIDE EFFECTS OF INHALANT ABUSE:

~Liver damage

~Kidney damage

~Hearing loss

~Bone marrow damage

~Brain damage

~Sinus infections

~Chronic bronchitis

~Asthma exacerbations

~Depression
TOBACCO ABUSE
Tobacco is the common name of several plants in the
genus Nicotiana of the family Solanaceae, and the
general term for any product prepared from the
curved leaves of these plants. More than 70 species of
tobacco are known, but the chief commercial crop is
N. tabacum. The more potent variant N. rustica is also
used in some countries

Dried tobacco leaves are mainly used for smoking in

cigarettes and cigars, as well as pipes and shishas.
They can also be consumed as snuff, chewing
tobacco, dipping tobacco and snus.

Tobacco contains the highly addictive stimulant

alkaloid nicotine as well as harmala alkaloids.
Tobacco use is a cause or risk factor for many deadly
diseases, especially those affecting the heart, liver and
lungs as well as many cancers. In 2008, the World
Health Organisation(WHO) named tobacco use as the
world’s single greatest preventable cause of death.
★KEY FACTS:
~Tobacco kills up to half of the users who don’t
quit
~Tobacco kills more than eight million people
each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-
smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke
~Around 80% of the world’s population, 1.3
billion, tobacco users live in low- and middle-income
countries
~In 2020, 22.3% of the world’s population used
tobacco: 36.7% of men and 7.8% of women
~To address the tobacco epidemic, WHO
members states adopted the WHO Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in
2003. Currently 182 countries are parties to this
treaty.
~The WHO MPOWER measures are in line with
the WHO FCTC and have been shown to save lives
and reduce costs from averted healthcare expenditure
~May 31 was observed as World No-Tobacco
Day.
MAJOR PRODUCERS OF TOBACCO:
COUNTRIES PRODUCTION(IN TONNES)

China 213,400

India 761,335

Brazil 702,208

Zimbabwe 203,488

Indonesia 199,737

United States of America 176,635

Consumption of Tobacco:
•Beedi
•Chewing tobaccos
•Cigarettes
•Cigars
•Creamy snuff
•Dipping tobaccos
•Dokha
•Gutka
•Hookah
•Kreteks
•Rollies
•Snuff
•Snus
•Tobacco edibles
•Tobacco pipes
•Tobacco smoke enemas
•Tobacco water
•Topical tobacco paste
EFFECTS
OF
TOBACCO
ABUSE
»Effect of tobacco in human body:

When people smoke, harmful chemicals enter their

lungs and spread through their body. They can:
•reach their brain, heart and other organs within ten
seconds of your first puff
•go everywhere your blood flows, harming every
part of your body
»Addiction:

The nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive, it makes

people’s brain to release a chemical called dopamine.
Dopamine is a ‘feel good’ chemical that:
•makes people feel happy
•helps then to concentrate
•gives them more energy
•but this effect doesn’t last long

As the nicotine level in human body fade, the brain

craves more dopamine. The longer you have been
smoking, the more dopamine you need to feel good.
You become dependent on nicotine.
Once you are dependent on nicotine, without it you
will have withdrawal Symptoms. You may find it
difficult to concentrate or feel nervous, restless
irritable or anxious.

These two things – nicotine dependence and nicotine

withdrawal – make you want to smoke more. You
become addicted to tobacco.

»How tobacco damages human body:

The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage your

body in many ways, For example:

★NICOTINE narrows veins and arteries. This can

•damage your heart by forcing it to work faster and
harder
•slow blood and reduce oxygen to your feel and hands

★Carbon monoxide deprives heart of the oxygen it needs

to pump blood around the body. Overtime, your
airway swells up and let less air into your lungs.

★Tar is a sticky substance that coats your lungs like

soot in a chimney
★Phenolsparalyse and kill the hair-like cells in the
airways. These cells sweep clean the lining of the
airways and protect them against infections

★Tiny particles in
tobacco smoke irritate the throat and
lungs and cause ’smokers cough’. This makes people
to produce more mucus and damages lungs tissue

★Ammonia and formaldehyde irritate the eyes, nose and

throat

★Cancer-causing chemicals makes the cells to grow too

fast or abnormally. This can result in cancer cells.

»SMOKING TOBACCO CAN:

~causes yellow-brown stains on the fingers, tongue
and teeth
~increases the risk of tooth loss and bad breath
~makes the skin saggy and gives early wrinkles
~makes the hair lose its natural shine
»HEALTH EFFECTS:
If you smoke, you:
→reduce your life expectancy and your quality of life
→increase your risk of many conditions and diseases
as well as of dying prematurely
It can be a long time before smokers get a smoking-
related condition or disease. Because of this, some
people believe it won’t happen to them.

In fact, up to ⅔ of long-term smokers will:

• die of a smoking-related disease
• have their life cut short by about 10 years on
average, compared to non-smokers.
•There is also growing evidence to suggest that
smoking has a negative impact on mental health. For
example,
Some studies show that smoking is associated with
increased rates of anxiety, panic attacks,
depression,suicide attempts and schizophrenia.
»Some of the conditions and diseases that can be caused by
smoking:

▪ Cancer-

Smoking causes most lung cancers and can cause

cancer almost anywhere on the body. This includes
the lips, tongue, mouth, nose, oesophagus, throat,
voice box, stomach, liver, kidney, pancreas, bladder,
blood, cervix, vulva, penis and anus.
▪ Breathing problems and chronic respiratory conditions-
Smoking is the main cause of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious, progressive
and disabling condition that limits airflow in the
lungs. Active smoking also worsens asthma in active
smokers and is associated with an increased risk for
asthma in adolescents and adults.
▪ Heart disease, stroke and blood circulation problems-

Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease,

such as heart disease and stroke. Smoking increase
the risk of blood clots, which block blood flow to the
heart, brain or legs. Some smokers end up having
their limbs amputated due to blood circulation
problems caused by smoking.
▪ Diabetes-

Smoking causes type 2 diabetes, with the risk of

developing diabetes 30% to 40% higher for active
smokers than non-smokers. Smoking may also
worsen some of the health conditions related to type 1
diabetes, such as, kidney disease.
▪ Infections-

Smoking weakens your immune system, so you’re

more likely to get bacterial and viral infections.
▪ Dental problems-

Smoking increase the risk of gum diseases, tooth loss

and tooth sensitivity. Once a person has gum disease,
smoking also makes it harder for their guns to heal.

▪ Hearing loss-

Smoking reduces blood flow to the inner ear.

Smokers may also lose their hearing earlier than non-

smokers.
▪ Vision loss-
Smoking damages the eye and can lead to macular
degeneration – the main cause of blindness in
Australia.
▪ Fertility problems-

Smoking can make it more difficult to fall pregnant

and affect sperm quality.
▪ Osteoporosis and menopause-

Smoking is a risk factor for Osteoporosis and in

women it result in early menopause compared to non-
smokers.
▪ Effect on those around smokers-

As a smoker, you can affect the health of other people

when they breathe in your second-hand smoke. This
means they’re breathing in the same toxic and cancer-
causing chemicals that you are.

▪ Radioactivity-

Polonium-210 is a radioactive terrace contaminant of

tobacco, providing additional explanation for the link
between smoking and bronchial cancer.
 The radioactive particles build up overtime in the
lungs and a UCLA study has estimated that the
radiation from 25 years smoking would cause over
120 deaths per thousand smokers.

▪ Reducing the effects-

There’s no safe level of smoking. To reduce the risk,

the best option is to quit smoking. Quitters will feel
the health benefits almost straight away.
In 2007, WHO introduced a practical, cost-effective
initiative to scale up implementation of the demand
reduction provisions of the WHO FCTC, called
MPOWER

→THE SIX MPOWER MEASURES ARE:

•Monitors tobacco use and prevention policies
•Protect people from tobacco use
•Offer help to quit tobacco use
•Warn about the dangers of tobacco
•Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and
sponsorship
•Raise taxes on tobacco

WHO has been monitoring MPOWER measures since

2007
 CONCLUSION

This project has shed light on the intricate

biological mechanisms underlying drug and
tobacco abuse. The damaging effects on these
substances on the human body, ranging from
respiratory and cardiovascular issues to
neurological impairments , highlight the
urgent need for public awareness and
preventive measures. Understanding the
molecular and cellular aspects of addiction
not only deepens or comprehension of the
challenges individuals face but also
emphasizes the importance of a holistic
approach, encompassing education, support
and policy changes. As we navigate the
complex landscape of substance abuse, it
becomes evident that addressing these issues
requires collaborative efforts from the
scientific community, healthcare
professionals, educators and policy makers.
By fostering a comprehensive understanding
of the biological consequences of drug and
tobacco abuse, we can strive towards creating
a healthier and more informed society.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Scribd.com

2. Wikipedia.com

3. Slidesharenet.com

4. Academia.edu
5. Projectsjugaad.com

6. NCERT Textbook