Curatorial hour on the topic "The truth about drugs: the impact on the human body"

First-year students majoring in Accounting and Auditing held a mentoring session on the topic "The Truth About Drugs: Their Impact on the Human Body," within the framework of SDG 3 "Good Health and Well-Being," Target 3.5: Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse.

During the event, the connection between SDG 3 "Good Health and Well-Being" and other SDGs was identified, as ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all people at all ages is essential for building prosperous societies. Without good health, it is difficult to address the problem of poverty—just as poverty and hunger hinder good health (SDG 1 "No Poverty" and SDG 2 "Zero Hunger").

Psychoactive substances (PSA) are substances that affect the central nervous system and alter a person's mental state, including mood, perception, thinking, or behavior. They act on the brain through neurotransmitters (such as dopamine and serotonin), causing a person to experience euphoria, relaxation, excitement, or an altered perception of reality.

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is a highly addictive opioid. It enters the brain quickly, faster than morphine, so a person quickly feels a strong effect. The main danger of heroin is the suppression of the respiratory center in the brainstem. An overdose often causes a triad of symptoms: loss of consciousness, pinpoint pupils (miosis), and slow breathing.

Cocaine is a potent alkaloid that enhances the sympathetic nervous system. It blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine (a stress hormone), causing its levels to increase. This causes vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure.

Marijuana is a narcotic substance from the Cannabis sativa plant. It contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol—the psychoactive substance in marijuana), which affects the brain and nervous system. There is a proven correlation between high-potency THC use and the risk of developing schizophrenia.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance found in certain mushrooms. In the body, it is converted to psilocin, which affects serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly in areas responsible for mood, perception, and thinking. This can alter a person's feelings, thoughts, and perception of the world around them. Psychedelics significantly alter brain function. Connections between neurons become more chaotic, and the area of ​​the brain that typically controls thoughts and the sense of self becomes weaker.

Research into the effects of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and psilocybin on the human body shows that each substance causes distinct disturbances. Heroin disrupts breathing and damages the white matter of the brain. Cocaine accelerates the aging of the heart and blood vessels and kills neurons in the cortex. Marijuana affects brain development and increases the risk of chronic psychosis. Psilocybin can cause long-term disturbances in perception. It was concluded that ensuring a healthy life and promoting well-being at any age is one of the key factors in sustainable development.

Organizers: Accounting and Audit Group 25R, first-year students, advisor O. Yu. Kogut, Head of the Finance and Accounting Department R. B. Sartova, Deputy Head of the Department N. Sh. Syrlybaeva.

March 13, 2026, 2:00 PM, HSEB, Office 212.