AP Psychology Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the AP Psychology Exam with a comprehensive quiz that includes flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What are opiates used for?

Inducing vivid hallucinations and altering perceptions
Suppressing neural activity temporarily to lessen pain and anxiety
Speeding up body functions
Reducing anxiety through stimulation of neural activity

The correct answer is: Suppressing neural activity temporarily to lessen pain and anxiety

Opiates are primarily used for their analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. They work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and other areas of the body, which leads to a decrease in the perception of pain. This action also has an anxiolytic effect, helping to reduce anxiety in individuals experiencing severe discomfort. Opiates essentially suppress neural activity that transmits pain signals, making them effective for both acute and chronic pain management. The other options highlight effects that are not associated with opiates. Hallucinations and altered perceptions are more closely associated with hallucinogens, while speeding up body functions relates to stimulants. Reducing anxiety through stimulation of neural activity does not accurately describe how opiates function, as they do not stimulate activity but rather dampen it. Thus, the option that emphasizes the suppression of neural activity to alleviate pain and anxiety accurately captures the primary therapeutic use of opiates.