Lecture 1 Flashcards
Exam 1
Pharmacology
Scientific study of drugs (scientific=research based evidence)
Psychopharmacology
scientific study of the effects of drugs on behavior
neuropharmacology
scientific study of effects of drugs on the brain (the link to understand whyyyy we behave the way we do when exposed to various drugs)
neuropsychopharmacology
scientific study of the effects of drugs on behavior through action on the brain
What is a drug?
- A chemical entity or mixture of chemicals that is introduced to the body
- Not required for the maintenance of health (unique, outside, foreign chemical)
- Alters biological function or structure (can create changes in the way the body and brain work)
What is a psychoactive drug?
- A drug that affects mood, cognition, and/or behavior (most drugs are classified as psychoactive)
- This is an umbrella term that can be broken into various groups
Why do people use drugs?
- Religious practices
- Alter moods/state
- Stimulation (relieve boredom)
- Social interaction
- Self-medicate
- Pleasure
Drug misuse has been around foreverrrrr
Oldest records of drug use
Hashish and Cocaine?
- Hashish (opium) and cocaine were used in the Stone Ages!!!
- Used to alter states of consciousness (religious) and to prepare for battle
Oldest records of drug use
Alcohol
- -6400 BC
- Accidental fermentation
- Grape wine did not appear untiil 300-400 BC
Oldest records of drug use
Opium Poppy
-5000 BC in Asia Minor
-Used as a “joy plant”
Oldest records of drug use
Cannabis sativa (weed)
- 2700 BC in China
- Used to treat gout and “absentmindedness”
Oldest records of drug use
Coca leaves (source of cocaine)
- -2500 BC
- Evidence of chewed coca leaves found in Indian burial sites in Central and South America
Naturally Occuring Drugs- US HIstory
Columbus and pilgrims
- Columbus learned about peyote and tobacco
- Pilgrims introduced alcohol to the Native Americans
Naturally Occuring Drugs- US HIstory
19th century patent medicines
- Drugs available in grocery stores and mail ordered (some combo of drugs bought and used to treat whatever)
- Included opium, morphine, marijuana, heroin, and cocaine (knowledge of psychoactive effects but no understanding of the chemistry/biology behind it)
- Opium mixed with alcohol was often given to crying babies, called laudanum
- Addiction occured but there was no knowledge of what that meant or why it happened
What was laudanum?
Mix of opium and alcohol given to crying babies