Drugs Flashcards
Define the term Drugs.
A drug is a medicine or other substance which has an effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.
Give examples of legal drugs.
Legal drugs include Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Anti-depressants and Inhalers.
Give examples of illegal drugs.
Illegal drugs include Cocaine, Heroine and Cannabis.
What is a Stimulant?
A Stimulant is a substance which speeds up actions in the body.
What is a depressant?
A depressant is a substance that slows down impulses and reactions.
Give examples of Stimulants.
Stimulants include Caffeine, Nicotine and Energy drinks.
Give examples of depressants.
Depressants include Alcohol and Solvents.
Describe a drug trial.
In a drug trial, people are split into two groups. 1 - the test group who receive the new drug. 2 - the control group who receive the existing drug for that illness. If there is no existing treatment, the control group is given a fake drug that has no effect on the body. This is called a placebo. The researchers look for differences between the the two groups.
Describe the Placebo effect
The Placebo effect is where a fake drug, like sugar, can sometimes improve a patient’s condition simply because the person expects that it will be helpful.
What is a blind drug trial?
In a blind drug trial, the volunteers do not know which group they are in. But the researchers do.
What is a double blind drug trial?
In a double blind drug trial, the volunteers do not know which group they are in, and neither do the researchers.
What is a Open drug trial?
An open trial is where both the patient and the researcher know the drug.
