Fields of study that study drugs can include:

• Pharmacology - 

•the science or study of drugs, their preparation, properties uses and effects

Fields of study that study drugs can include:

• Pharmacology -

•Pharmacy – the art and science ofpreparing and science of preparing anddispensing drugs and medicine

Fields of study that study drugs can include:

• Pharmacology -

•Pharmacy -

•Psychopharmacology -• study of the effects of drugs on behavior

When did it all begin?

"any chemical entity or mixture of entities other than those required for the maintenance of normal health (like food) that alters biological function and/or structure”.

any chemical entity or mixture of entities other than those required for the maintenance of normal health (like food) that alters behavior (ie alters nervous system function)

•Is caffeine a drug? • Can it be abused?

According to behavioral effects? According to pharmacological effects? Effects on Society? Chemical Make-up? legal vs illicit?

Origin◦ opiate drugs derived from poppy plant

opium, morphine, codeine

Mechanism of Action◦ similarity of how they work

alcohol, other sedative-hypnotics only problem - still learning how many drugs work

Therapeutic Use◦ why the drug is taken

pain killers, antidepressants, etc.

Site of Action◦ where do they produce their effects

ex. Alcohol’s effects on CNS; limited since drugs have multiple effects

Chemical Structures◦ benzodiazepenes

Street Name◦ uppers; downers, etc

chemical structure

chemical name -

N-(-4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide

generic name or nonproprietary name

acetaminophen

- can be useful sometimes because they give clue to the nature of the drug

ex. bz, local anesthetics

** textbooks, scientific discussions of drug use generic name

Chemical Structures◦ benzodiazepenes

Street Name◦ uppers; downers, etc

1. Drugs are not “good” or “bad” 2. Every drug has multiple effects3. The effects of a drug depends on the

amount of drug taken (a relationship exists).

4. The effect of any psychoactive drug depends on the individual’s history and/or expectations (among other things).

Each individual’s definition and beliefabout drugs and drug abuse tendsto be limited by their own previous history, experiences, etc...

Each individual’s definition and beliefabout drugs and drug abuse tendsto be limited by their own previous history, experiences, etc...

Recall events in your life that influenced how you look at drugs -

Each individual’s definition and beliefabout drugs and drug abuse tendsto be limited by their own previous history, experiences, etc...

Recall events in your life that influenced how you look at drugs -

What were the most important factors influencing your perception of drugs?

1. Your name (what you would like to be called)

2. Current status (fresh, soph, jr, sr)3. Specific topics of interest (related to this

course)4. Email address5. Previous bio experience6. Do you have the latest powerpoint (ppt or

pptx extension)?